1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
1Pe 2:10 "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." KJV
1Pe 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy nation, a people belonging specially to God, that you may make known the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." WNT
Continuation....
We touched on the Royalty part of the subject in our last edition. This one will endeavor to move to the priestly part. Our God has always been a God who values interaction with His people. In the Adamic Covenant we had God being available to man by His visitation in the Garden (Gen 3:8). We see the same with Enoch, with Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Israel, it seems God is unwilling to go without human interaction.
In the Mosaic Covenant we find God instituting the Priestly office as a means to administer reconciliation with His people, to act as intermediaries in His quest to have fellowship with man. God is principle "bound", hence when man violated His divine statutes and alienated themselves from His life He "had" to allow the course of the redemption plan to go it's full course. In this covenant God would once again dwell with man (i.e in the symbol of the Ark of His presence). The priests were the Central to this covenant because they held the ordinances of God within the Ark. They stood on behalf of the nation and gave God the sacrifices meet for the covering of sins primarily so that the slate would be clean again for the sinful nation. We see how instrumental and influential this post of priest was in that when the lepers were cleansed, they had to get the approval of the Priest in order to re-enter society (Mar 1:44).
Over and above their duties, the carrying of the presence of God, ensured that the blessing and power of the Lord rested on Israel, to the extent that the physical forces before them responded to that presence (Josh 3:13) Now just to clarify again; we ARE a Royal Priesthood. We carry God's presence within us wherever we go.
1. As priests we are Covenant custodians: contrary to popular New Age beliefs, we have a covenant with God, which has requirements. These are not requirements to remain in righteousness but requirements to exhibit and walk in the fruits of righteousness. To be a Priest requires awareness of the nature and precepts of God. For we cannot represent Him whom we do not know. A devout prayer life is critical in this regard. To constantly inquire of the Lord concerning your life and the lives of those around you. To know as the Psalmist says "their end", what their current and future prospects are hence what is needful for them.
Gal_5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit (the recreated human spirit that is alive in God) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
2. As priests we are Covenant enforcers: There is a rising tide which I find being driven in the body of Christ. It is a tide which seeks to nullify what God promises the recipients of the New Covenant. There has never been a covenant which didn't promise prosperity for the children of God, physical and spiritual gain and increase as a result of walking with God (Isa_33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity). I will also be quick to say that these covenants were also balanced in that there was a provision or a requirement to be in "right standing with God" in order to partake of His promises. The priestly office is particularly critical because it is meant to keep the people of God in balance by reminding them of both the promises and the requirements or statutes of God. To mature in Christ is to hold both sides with equal mastery to the glory of God.
*God's material blessings were not selective, they were for the covenant nation. His health promises were a national promise. He never selected a few to prosper and a few to be disadvantaged perpetually. This is the God we serve.
Deu_11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
Gen_28:4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
Gal_3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Heb 6:13-14 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Those that preach prosperity and those that preach suffering for Christ, have two ends of the same stick. Unfortunately we have excess on both ends and we find the world wondering which way to go when we should actually just give them the whole stick to familiarize themselves with the "whole counsel of God". To be a Priest means to understand the heart of God and represent it to His people. I have not exhausted the subject but I have distilled what I believe are some major aspects on it. This is a deep kingdom albeit it is built precept upon precept.
In His Royal and Priestly Service,
George Mwamlowe
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