The Priesthood Of Believers January 19, 2020

According to Scripture, the believer’s citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). In other words, we’re not going to be citizens of an eternal kingdom; we already are.

What’s more, every person who professes Jesus Christ as Lord is part of God’s priesthood. In the ancient Israelite culture, priests were the privileged servants of almighty God. They carried out all the tasks related to keeping the Law and preserving the spiritual well-being of the people. They cared for the temple, offered sacrifices, and interceded on behalf of the community.

When John says in Revelation 1:6 that we are priests, he is placing us among the ranks of a people set apart as God’s servants. It is a blessing and a calling to worship the Lord, to adore and honor Him, to ensure that all glory is given to His name, and to intercede on behalf of others.

The one priestly task we do not have to do is perform sacrifices. God Himself offered the final sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, when His Son died in our place. Our part is to bear witness to the breadth and depth of His love for all people. Once you grasp the fact that God looks on His children—every one a former slave to sin—with unconditional devotion, you’ll want others to know it too.

Thought for today: Believers are special in the eyes of their God and King. We are a sacred people and a holy order. Does your daily life reflect that truth? As a believer, you are not your own anymore (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are a priest and a privileged servant of the Most High God.