Our Stories Unleashed

Christ our Cornerstone

Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
-Lyrics from Cornerstone by Hillsong Music

Yesterday we sung the song Cornerstone by Hillsong. As you may have already noticed, the words of the verses are taken from the hymn The Solid Rock. I love that hymn, but that’s not the topic I’m writing about today. I’m writing about the scripture that it’s based on.

The main scripture of both songs is Acts 4:11-12 (ESV):
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

To a Christian, this may be obvious. But to an outsider, especially in our culture today, this is such a bold claim of salvation. It can appear to the outsider as very exclusive. You may not be saved by any other device. No other belief. No other ritual. No one will be saved unless they believe on the name of Jesus Christ.

Yes, it is exclusive. Yet, it is inclusive. The invitation for salvation has been extended to all.

Therefore, we who believe hope in nothing else as we pray and work that others come to know Christ as we know him. We lean on no one else and we show the world He is worth leaning on. But how does that affect our day to day lives?

I must confess, in regard to salvation, I accept the help. However, in regard to life’s circumstances, this is a struggle for me. I am burdened with the struggles of this life and I carry that weight all too often. But, from the one who brings salvation also comes comfort in hardship and suffering. There are scriptures too numerous to recount that tell us this. One such scripture that has been an encouragement to me is Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”  What a comfort.

I’m also burdened with the responsibility to share Christ with others and the reality that this is not always easy. It can be hard, time-consuming and uncomfortable. But I pray that I take on the attitude of Paul in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”. I can have confidence that the gospel I carry is the “power of God for salvation”.

I guess what I’m getting at is that Christ as our Cornerstone is not just a one-time thing that we point to in the past, but it is a continual foundation under our feet if we let it be. We not only trust Christ for salvation, but we trust him in our growth to spiritual maturity. We must not trust the “sweetest frame” of this world, but “wholly trust on Jesus name”. And even “through the storm” and through the hard things that He calls us to, we can be confident that “He is Lord, Lord of all”.

Looking forward to worshipping with you Sunday. - Matt Bowen