Every child of God is a priest in God’s Kingdom called to
lead others to JESUS and the Father’s love.
“…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God…” 1 Peter 2:9
Miriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “priest” as one authorized to perform the sacred rites
of a religion especially as a mediatory
agent between humans and God.
If we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and LORD we are the Father's chosen people and His personal possession with a role to serve alongside both the
Father and the Son to bring others into His kindness. This also means
we agree to be a royal priests and holy nation; a people belonging to the King of
kings (royal), set aside (holy) for service as mediators (priests) and God's representatives in the care and leadership of His people.
To show others the
goodness of God we need not be formally appointed to a ministry or
leadership position in our churches. We are no less recognized by God in this
role if we serve from the pulpit, at home with our friends and families, at our
jobs, or perfect strangers we meet in the supermarket, etc. Daily living with Christ is daily showing off the Father.
Leading and caring for God’s people is a responsibility that
we are not to take lightly. Since God knows the heart of man He does not leave
us to our own fleshly devices to do the job right. God cares very deeply
about matters involving the stewardship of His people, so He gives us exact
instructions in His WORD on how He wants us to lead those that He entrusts to our care (1
Peter 5: 1-4):
- Not grudgingly and out of a sense of obligation.
- With a willingness that pleases Him.
- Honestly – not for what we can get out of it.
- Humbly – not lording it over anyone.
- By being godly examples ourselves – holy and righteous living.
We ought to be mindful always that it is only because of the
Father’s goodness and CHRIST’s finished work on the cross that we are promised eternal glory with Him.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on 1 Peter 2:9 states that, Every man that
receives anything from God is thereby made a steward to impart it to others… One
might almost say that that was a by-end. You were saved--shall I say?--for
God’s sake; and you were saved for man’s sake. So we may say--and I speak now
to you who profess to be Christians--’you were not saved for your own sakes.
Let us prayerfully seek to obey God's WORD in our actions and
attitude as we serve God’s people.
And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of
never-ending glory and honor. 1 Peter 5:4
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are the One Eternal and
Wise King. We confess that we have not always done the things we ought to bring
glory to YOU and make YOUR NAME glorious before the world. We thank you that you are faithful to forgive
us for our short-comings and we ask that you increase our passion and faith so we can serve and lead your people with love. Thank you
for the grace and mercy you continue to lavish upon us and teach us to serve others with
the same generosity of spirit, for your NAME’s sake. To YOU, Father belong all dominion and power for ever
and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of Jesus Christ YOUR Beloved
SON, and our LORD. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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