I woke up this morning feeling peculiar, like I didn’t really fit in anywhere.
This scripture came to mind:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 2:4-5
We are living stones. Our works will stand if they are unto the Lord, otherwise, they will fly away as dust.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy;
for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Our workmanship honors the Lord Jesus Christ as He dwells in each of us.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,
Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:
and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. 2 Peter 2:6
Jesus Himself is the Cornerstone.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,
the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 2 Peter 2:7-8
Jesus has been offending people since people were created and likely the fallen angels before.
Though the gospel is preached, not all will accept it, though He is the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords, not every one will acknowledge this truth for it is not acceptable to many.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:10
Obtained mercy. Accepted mercy. Have been given mercy by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12
Remembering that we are foreigners here. We will not fit in.
When others see our good works, that glorify God when He opens their eyes.
We are not supposed to fit in. We are likely feeling less and less a part of things.
If you talk to those who are not following Christ, you encounter much sin in conversation and anger, hatred, unforgiveness, pride, adoration for certain types of sin and the list goes on.
You can try to stand up for Christ, but there is no way to fix all the things that come up
and if you are listening to the Holy Spirit, you must wait for His wisdom.
Sometimes, there is nothing that He wants you to say. Praying helps open ears and hearts.
Those prayers can be before, during and after such encounters. Like Paul said, pray without ceasing.