Peter calls his fellow Christians “living stones” built into a “spiritual house.” He imagines that, in place of the old temple in Jerusalem, God now lives and moves through the faith of Christians. God is present

in the world not in a stone temple, but in the lives of people who believe in Jesus. Instead of offering animals as sacrifices on the altar in the temple our lives become an offering to God. Instead of God’s people being a particular nation living in a particular land, we are God’s people spread throughout the world.

It is exciting to think God is living among us and through us.

It is also challenging to think we are the new temple of God.

We are “God’s own people,” but at the same time Peter calls us “aliens and exiles.” This world is not our home, at least not yet. We live in nations and under the authority of governments, but God is our true home and we are waiting for our true Lord.

We live in the meantime—we live as God’s people in the midst of other people.

And we are called to have a witness to the grace of God and a presence that brings God’s life into the world.

We cannot always expect to be treated fairly and rightly in this world—but that does not stop us from living well.

We are “free” through the grace and mercy of God. But in the moment we may be experiencing all sorts of difficulties.

We can live lives of power even if we have no power.

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the unique calling of all Christians—the calling to be the dwelling of God in the midst of the world.