Part 3: I am your stepping stone
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering of sacrifice to God.” [Ephesians 5:1-2 [show] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2]And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (ESV)
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For the past few weeks we’ve been unfolding the phrase “Our Master said, ‘Love one another, as you are loved.’” First we thought about what it means to have a Master, or to be Mastered. Then we considered what it meant that Jesus told us not only that we must love, but that we must love in a certain way, namely, ‘as we are loved.’ That’s where we were last time. Before we move on, I’d like to paint a picture of what this looks like.
Remember the old Monkees song, “I’m not your stepping stone?” Well, it’s a catchy tune but don’t let it affect your worldview. Jesus Christ, our Master, is called the “stumbling block of Israel,” and “a rock of offense” to those who are condemned [1 Peter 2 [show] So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [2]Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- [3]if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
[4]As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5]you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6]For it stands in Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
[7]So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"
[8]and
"A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
[9]But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10]Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
[11]Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [12]Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
[13]Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14]or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15]For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16]Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17]Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
[18]Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19]For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20]For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. [21]For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22]He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23]When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24]He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25]For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (ESV)]. For those who believe, however, he is a rock to make our steps secure [Psalm 40 [show] I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
[2]He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
[3]He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
[4]Blessed is the man who makes
the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
[5]You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
[6]In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
[7]Then I said, "Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
[8]I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
[9]I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
[10]I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
[11]As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
[12]For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.
[13]Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
[14]Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
[15]Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
[16]But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, "Great is the LORD!"
[17]As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!], a sure foundation [Isaiah 28:16 [show] [16]therefore thus says the Lord GOD,
"Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'], and solid ground [Matthew 7:24-27 [show] [24]"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25]And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [26]And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. [27]And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (ESV)]. We are built up on him as the chief cornerstone of the building of God [1 Corinthians 3:11 [show] [11]For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (ESV), Ephesians 2:20 [show] [20]built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (ESV)]. What I see here—if we are to love as we are loved—is that we are to be stepping stones for each other!
Jesus said “Greater love has no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 [show] [13]Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (ESV)]. Laying down one’s life means, in part, being willing to get stepped on. But is this so bad? Think with me for a moment about what a stepping stone actually does and the image is really quite extraordinary:
A stepping stone serves, supports, lifts, strengthens, and directs a person’s path upward to a higher destination. To do this, it must know the destination and point to it, it must be humble, it must have adequate strength, and it must be willing to get a bit dirty in the process. And for someone to really get to higher ground, it takes more than just one step. Which means that we must be willing to repeat the process of getting stepped on for another’s benefit. And it also means that we should assemble with others who are like-minded. And when you have a bunch of stepping stones all working together, pointing toward one goal, you get a rock stairway—and that’s kind of like what a church body should be like. Can you picture it?
By God’s grace the person exerts the energy to climb the rock stairway, but the stairs support him, direct him, draw his vision upward to the destination, beckon toward the upward goal, and they repeat the process until he gets there. Think about all the other character traits this image brings out! Attitude, humility, teamwork, etc. A rock stairway is a great picture of what we should be doing for each other: being each other’s support, direction, encouragement, and vision-realigner. (A good brother just did this for me recently!)
It’s just simple imagery, but it fits in so well. When we get into those conversations with people who are having a tough time, it’s time to take on the role of a step—get humble, get supportive, get positive and encouraging, set the vision toward the higher ground of truth and joy, and gather others to help you. Sometimes we all need a way out of the dark cellar of solitude into the light-warmed family room. So let’s aim at becoming willing stepping stones for each other—for the higher ground awaits! Look for opportunities today, for our Master has said “…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” [Luke 6:38 [show] [38]give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (ESV)]
[Next week we’ll continue our discussion, and focus on handling conflicts. Thanks for reading!]
Recommendations
[movie] Luther (2003), starring Joseph Fiennes, just came out on VHS/DVD—highly recommended! Majority of the manuscript was taken from actual statements or manuscripts or court records. Low budget, but a great movie! Should be available in your local video rental store.
[article] Francis Schaeffer’s The Mark of the Christian. A classic work on our theme of loving one another.
[site] John Piper’s Fresh Words, a weekly devotional similar to this one.
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