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The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 20 May 2019 – Royal Priesthood
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TOPIC: Royal Priesthood
READ: 1 Peter 2:1-10 King James Version (KJV)
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
THE MESSAGE:
This very interesting passage explains the kind of priesthood believers have received; one very contrary to the Levitical priesthood which is only for Jews. Peter infers that Gentiles and Jews are now drawn through Christ into a priesthood of all believers. In this priesthood, he exhorts us in the first verse on some things a believer must be separated from. He further enjoins us to grow to spiritual maturity by feeding on the unadulterated milk of God’s word (2).
We are living stones, a built-up spiritual house and a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. Furthermore, the Bible states that we are a chosen generation (Isaiah 43:20), a royal priesthood (Exodus 19:6), and a peculiar people. What an identity! Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ, same identity, same function. In the Passover, the Jews saw their deliverance from Egypt as being brought out from darkness into light. Today, having been called out as a Royal Priesthood, we have authority and responsibility to offer sacrifices of praise, prayer, holy living, etc. to God this year.
Prayer: Lord, I give myself to you, build me a lively stone for your use and let the gates of hell crumble before me in Jesus Name, Amen.
