The Chief Cornerstone, Rejected?

 There's a concept introduced in Psalms that the stone rejected by the builders has become the chief cornerstone. This week, I set up a trip to bring donations to Mayfield Kentucky where a tornado that was on the ground for over 200 miles flattened neighborhoods. I had two volunteers go with me on the trip, as well as several at home canvasing for donations. On the trip we were talking about the purpose of man as seems to be the case when we get together. This concept of the cornerstone jumped out at me so harshly. 
What does this concept of the cornerstone, and rejection mean? Well, on one level of analysis it meant Christ's fulfilment of the sacrifices, and His personhood, but there's another important idea, several in fact.

What pray-tell is the 'cornerstone' of Christianity?

In my experience there are a few answers to that question that make up the majority response of at least, large organizations.

1. The Government of God - This is probably the most cited answer in my experience with people. This, by the way IS NOT THE CORNERSTONE. This is a cheap attempt at controlling people, and it's a rant I could go on and on for because it's a despicable concept. (not that God has a government, but that man is capable of acting it out)

2. The Sabbath - I have heard many many people use this answer. The idea being that the Sabbath is the MOST fundamental part of Christianity and that without the correct keeping of the Sabbath you CANNOT be a part of the Body of Christ... The arrogance in that idea should not have to be highlighted, but for arguements' sake, if you think that One sin that other people have (not keeping the seventh day sabbath) is WORSE than your breaking any of the Commandments, to the extent that You are Special to God and They are NOT special to God... If you believe that, you are a narcissist and do not believe the God described in the bible as not being partial.

3. Salvation / Christ's Sacrifice - This is an answer you can find more in the smaller churches than the larger. This answer is indeed accurate biblically on at least one level, because Christ's sacrifice is the MOST Fundamental action that Jesus Christ performed. without it, salvation of mankind would not be possible. There is something more to consider though, That is the question of 'what comes next?'.

So, Jesus Christ lived and died, and was resurrected and that is A fulfilment of the Cornerstone, but what came after that? Why has the world gone on for 2000 years since then? Is there not a purpose to work? Is there not a reason for the trial and tribulation of life in the general sense? 

Christ plainly stated multiple time that he was setting an example, later on the apostles talked about being 'christ-like', and Paul explicitly states that we are to embody Christ in Galatians 2. The idea of Christ living in you. That means that YOU live out Christ's pattern, that pattern was loving your neighbor. He actually cared for all the people around them and spent His life attending to the needs of others. Over and over we read of Him helping people and Healing them, comforting them. The parables He gives to explain Himself describe the service He longs to give to all people. 

The Cornerstone of Christianity, that is 'the fundamental part of people that profess to be followers of Christ' is to Serve Mankind. Literally to help and love your neighbor. Everything else as that we perceive as being the most fundamental to our specific walk is a distraction from the main point. Notice that I'm not saying that what we do is the most fundamental to God.. In the plan of God, Christ IS the cornerstone, no doubt, but we are talking about something else.. We are discussing the cornerstone of 'Christianity' the cornerstone of what WE DO. We are to be LIKE Christ, we act like Him, we do the things he did, and what He did was serve mankind.

This has been by the way, REJECTED by the 'builders' of churches. The concept of actually helping our neighbor has be flat-out rejected. we have literally been taught to be content that the second resurrection will fix everything. The churches teach to ignore the current suffering because future help is coming. That is a FLAT-OUT REJECTION of THE CORNERSTONE. When Christ came to this earth 2000 years ago, HE KNEW that wasn't the end of time... yet He helped people physically. He still walked around daily healing, and teaching, comforting, helping, etc, all while knowing that wasn't the end. He most certainly understood the truth of the second resurrection much better than we do, yet He still helped then! 2000 years ago! The builders of the churches have rejected Christ as the Cornerstone.

We, as individual Christians have got to recognize THE CORNERSTONE. Not only is Christ the most fundamental part of Salvation for mankind, His example is the most important and fundamental part of 'the way'. 

How do you be a 'Christian'? Do What Christ Did.