A Choice Nation
A Royal Priesthood

Scripture Reading:  1 Peter 2:9-12   

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:9

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.

The Apostle Peter continued his description of the ekklesia with the label, “a royal priesthood.”  With Peter’s history in the Jewish traditions, he remembered the duties of the priesthood.  These Jewish priests were to lead in the spiritual matters of God’s people.  They were to instruct God’s people on how to live in order to please God.  They were to make sacrifices in behalf of God’s people to cover their sins.

Peter has come to the knowledge, by the help of the Holy Spirit, that God’s chosen people no longer are served by a single priest; God’s people are the priests.  We are a kingdom of priests who serve our world in the things of God and His kingdom.  As God’s people, we are to lead our world in spiritual matters.  We are to live our lives in such a way that those who are lost will see our hope in Christ!  It is us, God’s chosen people, who now serve to instruct a lost world on what God’s Word says concerning the issues of right and wrong; we are a royal priesthood.

We no longer sacrifice animals to cover the sins of sinners.  However, we do sacrifice, as royal priests.  We personally choose to sacrifice our time, energies, and resources to see God’s kingdom grow.  We are willing to sacrifice what we might want in order for God’s will to be done in us and through us!  We are a royal priesthood!

Father, I will serve you today!  I will fulfill my responsibilities as your priest and lead lost people to the hope in your Son!  In Jesus’ name, amen.