Do Not Neglect the Priesthood

The New Testament Scriptures tell us that we are a Holy Priesthood, and the reformers pointed out the priesthood of all believers. This is because we have all been given the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16), and most importantly because Christ has opened the way in order for us to have access to God. This is seen when the veil was torn in two, making access for believers into the Holy of Holies. With each believer being part of the priesthood, what are the implications of it on our lives? I want to quickly look at three.

First, we have immediate access to the throne of Grace (Heb 4:16). Stop and realize what a blessing this is. Sinful men and women as we are, by Christ’s work, are actually able to approach Him confidently and make our requests known. He waits to hear and answer prayer. Every prayer of the believer will be answered. They may not always be answered the way we want them to be, but they will always be answered in a way that is for our benefit. With this in mind it is impossible pray without being blessed.

Second, scripture tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1Pe 2:9). This means that one of our blessed duties is to show forth praises of Him. Every time we do this we have the privilege of bringing glory to the one who saved us by calling us out of darkness. The neglecting of this duty stems from neglecting the truth that we have truly been redeemed, and to neglect this has a tendency to put us back under the burdens of the law. Not actually, because His grace is irrevocable, but psychologically we begin to weigh ourselves down with our duties without the joy of our salvation.

Third, scripture tells us that, “we also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:5). The blessing of this aspect of the priesthood is to realize that we can actually do things that bring pleasure to the Lord. Before, we could not please Him; this is because without faith it is impossible to please God. Now when we offer the spiritual sacrifices of our work for Him (study of His word, ministry to others, etc.), it actually sends up a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. Not the actual stench of our blemished sacrifices, but by faith, the wonderful aroma of our Lord Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. To neglect this is to neglect one of the greatest privileges of salvation, which is bringing pleasure to our Lord.

Have you been neglecting the great honor that has been bestowed upon you? Remember, Christ gave His life to give us these privileges. To neglect them is to neglect three of the greatest blessing we have been given.

-Doug Eaton-