07/06/2021
Do we live as members of Christ’s Kingdom, and serve our God as priests? Do our lives, as well as our words, shout out “Glory to God!”, and do we understand that the love of Jesus has made us to be, and to serve, in this capacity forever? We are not alone, nor held prisoners of sin, but have been made a holy kingdom, and freed by the blood of Christ to assume our place before God’s throne.
“…To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 1:5-6 ESV
Satan would have us believe that we are are less than what God has intended us to be. He tells us that we will never be worthy, and that we are lowly servants of the world, but nothing could be further from the truth… we are the children, and friends of God. We have been freed from the bonds of sin, and made heirs, and joint heirs, with Jesus Christ… we have been chosen by God for His great purposes.
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
John 15:15-16 ESV
Jesus said that we were chosen, and so we have been. We were chosen to be friends and so much more; we were chosen to be members of God’s royal priesthood, and of His Holy nation, but are we living up to the expectations of our role?
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
As priests we have been called to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ into all the world, and in this way we are befriending Christ, serving God, and demonstrating His glory. Many have come before us to do this very thing, and have delivered the gospel, so now we are called, and asked, to do the same… are we answering our call to be more than worldly citizens, and is our voice being heard to the ends of the world?
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.””
Romans 10:17-18 ESV
We call those who are sent forth into the world missionaries, and we say that they are making disciples of all nations, but to get to these nations their first steps had to be taken in their own country. Jesus started His journey at His home in Nazareth before eventually ending up on Calvary. Where are we now? Where will we take our first step in obedience to Christ?
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
As we have discussed, Satan would have us believe that we are unworthy, and thus unable to answer the call of God. He told this same lie about Jesus to dissuade His followers, and he is still lying today about, and to, us. He whispers in our ear, asking us if there is any good thing that can come out of where we live. Listen to Nathaniel as he speaks this lie to Philip about Jesus…
“Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.””
John 1:46 ESV
So, we have been called, and Satan will certainly lie to us. Will our response be the same as Philip’s? Will we tell all of those who speak to discourage us… “Come and see.”?
I am telling you this because our very first Gospel Conversation will most likely be to those in our own home, or will be with those in our town that we have called friends, and they will seek to make us feel unworthy, or tell us that our faith is a myth. The question becomes this… do WE believe we have been freed of sin, made part of a holy nation, and are now ordained as priests by Christ to His Father? Are WE prepared to live this new life as children, friends, priests, and heirs with Jesus of our God? Have WE picked up our cross where we live, and being so chosen, answered our call to follow Jesus?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for choosing us, and calling us to you through your Son Jesus. Thank you Lord for making us to be priests in your Holy Kingdom, and calling us friends, children, and heirs. Open our eyes Father to your will for us, and the plan you have for our lives. Help us to know the lie of Satan for what it is, and deliver the gospel message to all those who attempt to make us feel unworthy of your love, and relationship. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our father, and God. Great are you and eternal is the truth that is in you. Praised be your name for every opportunity we are offered to deliver the message of Christ’s salvation to others who either haven’t heard, or who have believed the lie of Satan. You are glorious Father, and have sent us to deliver not only the gospel, but the truth of your Word, and your glory. Wash us clean of our sin with the blood of Jesus, clothe us in the armor of your Word, and send us as your priests to serve you, and deliver the good news of Jesus to all the world. Strengthen us against the lies of Satan, and arm us with the truth that will save the souls of the dark one’s messengers of darkness, and emissaries of damnation. Make us capable, and shield us, until we stand before you in judgement and are told that we are your children, and are forever pleasing to you.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
Matthew 16:24-27 ESV
Rich Forbes