Gain a new perspective on Christians’ role as priests.

IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING

royal priesthoodIf you’ve been a believer for a while, you have come to understand that you have been “born again” into a unique priesthood:

 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9)

Comprehending all that this means takes a while, perhaps a lifetime. I think the easiest part of our “priesthood” to grasp is the privilege our new position affords us. As a member of Christ’s royal priesthood, we have direct access to our Heavenly Father. We can come into His presence any time we desire. We don’t need another priest as a go-between. What a privilege!

The more difficult part to grasp has to do with our function as priests. Priests are not lone rangers. They work as part of a priesthood. Individualism must give way to a group mentality. To fulfill our duties, we must work together as a unit.

 AS I SEE IT

While the Old Testament priests represented God to the people, they also took the concerns of the people to God, and this is where we often fall short in our function as priests. We will pray for someone when an urgent need is brought to our attention, but what about having the continual mindset of an intercessor? But it goes deeper than that.

It’s not just praying for someone, as powerful as that may be. It’s also about letting Christ’s life in us be so evident that people are drawn to Christ simply by being around us. There are people allhigh priest around us who will come to know God only by seeing Christ in us. We may be the only “Christ” they will ever see. These people will be drawn to Christ, not by a persuading argument, but by seeing Christ expressed through our lives. Granted, a clear presentation of the gospel will eventually be required, but a submitted life of pure devotion to Christ will open the door.

If we fail in our priestly function as taking the needs (especially for salvation) of the people to God, we will fail in our duty to fulfill the great commission. If we fail to see ourselves as part of a priesthood (of believers), our individualism will take over and we will focus on what we think we’re best suited for instead of what we have been called to.

Our “job” as priests must supersede everything else in life, including our earthly jobs. Actually, it should make us more effective in our vocations. It’s a win – win if we take our priestly responsibilities seriously. My purpose is to remind us of our priestly role, since it’s not something we hear much about. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit would redirect our focus when necessary so we can fulfill our high calling.

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 ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Dijon vu: The same mustard as before.

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