There were three important positions in Israel of old. These are Kings (Royal), Priests (Priesthood) and Prophets. The royals and the priests own these positions by birth and no one could deny them these positions. But the prophets are chosen by God from among the people. Anybody could become a prophet: royals can be made prophets, priests could be made prophets and ordinary people could become prophets. But it was not possible for royals to become priests or priests to become royals.
The division was in function too. The King cannot perform the role of the Priest; and the Priest dare not do the work of the King. The consequences of such actions were disastrous. This continued until after the Exile when, during Greek and Roman Rule, the main Davidic line was lost and Priest became rulers of the people.
It is only in Jesus that these two separate institutions became unified and we are the benefactors. So you are a Priest and a King/Queen.
Today’s topic is pointing us first and foremost to our identity in Christ.
Who are you in Christ?
The true identity of a person can be seen in three major ways: where they come (are coming) from, where they are now, and where they are going to. The identity we are talking about here is spiritual and not physical.
Where you came from
1 Peter 2:9 says we have been called from darkness. You have been living in the darkness before you came to know Christ. We lived a life of darkness. We did devilish things. We were not friends of God. We were murderers, thieves, drunkards, liars, idol worshipers, witches, wizards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. Our lives were dark. That is where we were. And it was by the grace of God that we were saved. Christ shed his blood for us and we were saved. Imagine where you will have been, had it not been for Christ.
Christ has brought us out of darkness, out of disgrace, out of shame, out of poverty, out sickness and disease.
That is why you must be grateful to God today, no matter your situation. He has given you what money cannot buy: Salvation which comes with hope. The hope we have in Christ makes everything certain. God has brought you from the most difficult situation, and so He is able to do what you desire.
Where are you now?
You are a member of the royal priesthood of Christ. You have been brought into light. This light is the light of God. In this light there is freedom. We are no longer living lives of bondage where we are bound by many things: demons, alcohol, womanising, (manising), stealing, etc. We are not bound by idols to whom we must make sacrifices regularly. We are not bound by death so that we are in constant fear. We know that even in death there is victory for us. That is why Stephen was not perturbed even when he was being stoned to death.
You were once a lifeless stone. Nothing entered you. The word of God had no effect on you. The spirit of God was far from you. But today you have become a living stone, being built together with other living stones into a glorious edifice. This means your tomorrow will be better than what you are today. (My tomorrow will be better than what you see today.)
Where are you going?
When Christ rescued you from darkness and brought you into light, He also changed your destiny. He changed your ultimate destination. You were on the road to destruction, to hell. But now you are on the way to heaven. Your heaven starts from here. You were on the road of death, but now you are moved to the road of life.
Jesus says he is preparing a place for us in heaven. Once we are in him, we know that we will be in heaven with him. We are not afraid of the world coming to an end. Whether it happens today, even now, once you are in Christ, there is no difference. Our destination is heaven.
Our duty
Now that you know who you are, a royal a priest, a living stone, you must know the purpose for which God has called you and is still keeping you alive.
The King is called to provide leadership for the people of God. He wages war against evil nations. You must wage a war against the powers of darkness. You must defend the people and the kingdom of God. This could be physical and spiritual, but we must know that the warfare we are involved in is not physical. We use spiritual weapons of prayer and testimony to defeat the enemy.
As a Priest, you are called to a life of worship. The priest in the days of Israel does nothing but be involved in the things of God. In like manner, we must dedicate our lives, and our work to the worship of God. Whatever you do, do it as unto God. Worship God with whatever you have and do.
You are called as a priest to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. The sacrifices we are to offer must be living. We must offer our lives as sacrifice, a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. God knows that, that is why you are a living stone. A stone cannot die. No matter how much you sacrifice, you will not die. You are a living stone. Nothing can harm you.
You must provide leadership in doing what is good. Stand for the truth. When they are looking for a good person, you must be one of them.
