What responsibilities come with being "priests to our God" in daily life? Royal Priestly Identity • Revelation 5:10 proclaims, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” • This echoes 1 Peter 2:9, affirming every believer as a “royal priesthood.” • Because Christ’s finished work truly made us priests, our daily lives now revolve around priestly responsibilities, not occasional religious moments. Offering Spiritual Sacrifices • Worship first: Hebrews 13:15—“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” • Whole-life devotion: Romans 12:1—our bodies offered as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” • Practical outflow: – Speaking gratitude in every setting. – Choosing obedience when no one is watching. – Giving generously as an act of worship (Philippians 4:18). Guarding Holiness • Priests distinguish holy from common (Leviticus 10:10-11). • Daily checkpoints: – Media, speech, habits—are they clean or unclean? – Relationships—do they pull toward or away from Christ? • We do not redefine holiness; we realign life to it (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). Bold Access and Intercession • Hebrews 4:16—“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.” • Hebrews 10:19-22 assures open access; priests use it for others: – Family members’ salvation and growth. – Leaders, churches, and nations (1 Timothy 2:1). – Hurting neighbors, persecuted believers, enemies. • Carry burdens to God, not gossip to people. Proclaiming and Teaching the Word • Malachi 2:7—“the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge.” • Practical rhythms: – Share a verse that guided you today. – Explain gospel truth when questions arise (Colossians 4:6). – Disciple younger believers; read Scripture together. Blessing Others • Priestly lips impart blessing, not curses (Numbers 6:24-26). • Ways to bless: – Speak Scripture over children before school. – Offer words of encouragement at work. – Write notes that point to Christ’s faithfulness. Representing God’s Kingdom • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20—priests are “ambassadors for Christ.” • Responsibilities include: – Reconciling conversations—bringing peace, not strife. – Ethical excellence—showing integrity in business. – Acts of mercy—serving the poor, comforting the grieving. • As “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16), we display the coming reign hinted at in Revelation 5:10. Exercising Future-Oriented Authority • “They will reign upon the earth” (Revelation 5:10) starts now in seed form: – Resist the devil (James 4:7). – Steward time, talent, resources for kingdom goals (Luke 19:13). – Stand for truth in cultural debates with grace and conviction. Living It Out—A Daily Snapshot Morning: Offer yourself to God; pray for those on your heart. Mid-day: Choose holiness in conversation and conduct; share a timely verse. Evening: Review the day with gratitude, intercede for others, and rest in the assurance that your priestly service matters eternally. |
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