The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

The Stones Tested

In the building of this spiritual house mentioned by the apostle Peter, the people of God composing the structure are represented as lively, or living stones. What a work to be accomplished in these stones, quarried from rock of the enemy, before they can be fitly called the lively stones in God’s house. We are exhorted to “look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” Isaiah 51:1. The Lord says of his dealing with these rough stones: “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth.” Hosea 6:5. Like the tried stone in the foundation, those placed in the building must be tried stones. “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.” Daniel 12:10. COOD 13.2

Of this testing process we read in the epistle of James, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12. The same experience is referred to in Peter’s first epistle, in these words: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10. In the letter to the Hebrews the apostle said: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:11. This peaceable condition of mind is undoubtedly when they come forth from the Lord’s training, “as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” Psalm 144:12. COOD 14.1