A Holy Priesthood

A Holy Priesthood,

The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’ 
                                                                                       1 Peter 2:9-12.
The apostle Peter tells believers we are a holy priesthood.
Sadly too many people who claim to be Christian are not acting like a Holy priesthood. They act more like a pale imitation of the world.
If you look at some who claim to be Christian evangelist, pastors, and Christian programming in the media they resemble the world more than Christ. They are judging the world. They are making outrageous unsubstantiated claims. They are even picking fights with other faiths.
This is not what it is to be Christian.
To be Christian is to Love God, your neighbour and even your enemy. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                           Matthew 22:36-40.
Prior to saying that Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
                      Matthew 5:43-45.
The Apostle Paul said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                             Romans 12:18  
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                    Matthew 5:9
The apostle Paul tells us what the results of the Holy Spirit working in a persons life is. He states,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  
                                                                                Galatians 5:22,23.
These are the signs of a true Christian.
The writer of Hebrews make it clear what Christians are suppose to do,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
Hebrews 12:14.
As the apostle Peter said,
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Take a few minutes right now and pray. Ask God to show you your shortcomings. Ask God how you can live a more holy life. A life God will be pleased with.
Take time to evaluate the ministries outside your church that you support. To evaluate the Church you attend.
Ask God to lead you and direct in the paths of righteousness. To truly be someone who lives in peace. In whom those around you see holiness.
Francis of Assisi wrote something I believe all true Christians need to be asking God, when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                                                       Francis of Assisi
  Ask God to make you a peacemaker for as Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
                                                                                                      Matthew 5:9