Kingdom of Priests

God's plans will never fail and His ways never end. His Word is the same today and it was in the beginning.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day"

Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭

In a world of brokenness, it is important to remember God's original design. God's plan for His people is that they would live intentionally in holy community. Unlike everywhere else in the world, His kingdom, is a kingdom of priests. What is the role of a priest? Someone who helps share God's word, follows His ways, and lives a life of service. Are you willing to be a priest?

The same call on the people then is a call for us now. We do not have to live a monastic life to be a priest. We can be priests. How do we start? By consecrating ourselves today in preparation for what God wants to do in and through us.

“I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!” ‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭69‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬, ‭13‬, ‭16‬, ‭30‬, ‭32‬ ‭

The salvation we seek is what we receive when we learn to live a kingdom life. God is compassionate and pursuing each of our hearts. He measures our hearts more by our faithfulness to Him than whether we have faults in how we follow rules.

David was a perfect example of this. He had many flaws but he always turned to God not from Him. What do you see when you picture God? How you picture God will greatly influence your desire to draw close to Him. David pictured a loving Savior and his heart was full of praise.

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬, ‭21‬

God's original design is that our words would produce fruit that feeds others and is fuel for our souls. God's original design is for us to praise. The Bible says in heaven we will sing Holy, Holy, Holy and worship constantly our Lord.

Are the words of your mouth pleasing to the Lord? Are they feeding others? You have the power of life and death with your words.

“Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord...How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭19‬, ‭22‬

Twice in this passage God invites the prodigals to come home. God's original design is life connected to and walking with Him. His original plan is a plan of blessing and favor for His people. Where have you wandered? Where has your heart turned away from God and focused on other things? How will you answer His call to come home?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬, ‭9‬, ‭12‬-‭14‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭

In the beginning. In God's original plan the Word, Jesus Christ, was with God and the Word was God. Jesus is the original light for all mankind and today He is still the light of the world. He gives all who believe in Him the right to be a child of God and learn to know the Father through Him. Jesus is the model for what a kingdom priest should be. He came to serve others and glorify God with His life.

From the beginning God has been calling for His people and today He is calling you. He is calling you to give Him your full heart and be faithful to the covenant relationship He offers through Jesus. What does He ask? Consecrate yourself. Choose to take a step towards Him and let go of anything that keeps you from His love. God's original design is that you would know you are loved and out of the wholeness of that love become a heavenly priest to the world around you.