1 Peter 2:1-10, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
Being a Royal Priesthood – part of the “chosen generation”, “a holy nation” and “His own special people” is not an easy task. As we take our 24th step on our journey towards our true calling and destiny in life, it is important to remember that we are elected by God to perform priestly duties. This involves proclaiming the praises of Him according to His will and sharing our blessings with those around us. As a Royal Priesthood, we should be mindful of how we use His gifts, serve those around us and live up to our vocation as guardian stones for living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 61:4-7 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.”
The Royal Priesthood is a special calling from God that has been passed down to us as His people. As such, the 24th step on our journey toward our calling, purpose, and destiny in life with God is to accept this special privilege and responsibility as His chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. This sacred role of being witnesses and ambassadors for Jesus Christ on earth grants us the unique opportunity to proclaim the praises of Him. We must approach this privilege with confidence knowing that we have received it through His mercy and grace alone.
Isaiah 62:1-3, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
You are a part of a unique and special calling – the Royal Priesthood. As a Royal Priesthood, each of us are given the opportunity to serve the Lord and to share His gospel with others. We hold a special place as people of faith, uniting us in our love for Jesus Christ.
The twenty-fourth step on our journey to discovering our purpose in life is understanding our role as a part of the Royal Priesthood. Through this position we gain access to a higher power which can guide us through difficult servitude and help us proclaim His praises with confidence and enthusiasm.
The scripture “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” reminds us of this special calling which places an importance on selfless service rather than ambition and success. As followers of God, we can rely on Him to provide guidance during our journey toward understanding God’s calling in life through Jesus Christ.
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Revelation 1:4-6, “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
