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We are a royal priesthood



Ezekiel 44:23

They must teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is unholy. They must show the people how to tell the difference between what is clean and what is unclean.

  

Thought for the day – We are a royal priesthood

Today’s chapter in Ezekiel is striking in that it is very specific to the priests that would lead worship in the new Temple. There are strict conditions for what they wear, how they look, and what they do. and one the ones that stand out to me is how they were to demonstrate the holiness of God. Something I believe we as the people of God, who are now his royal priesthood, should be doing as well.

 

You may well think ‘Wait Ray, I’m not a priest!’ Well, we are. Peter reminds us that we are a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession," called to proclaim God’s excellencies. (1 Peter 2:9); we all serve as representatives of God. Priesthood in its widest sense is a representative ministry. We represent God to the people and the people to God. Whenever we stand up for the things of God, or whenever we pray for someone, we are fulfilling priestly duties.

 

Being part of a priestly tribe, we have the responsibilities and privileges of being priests. It’s a reminder to us that our faith isn’t just a private passive thing. It’s a calling to actively represent God’s Kingdom, God’s light and God’s holiness to the world.

 

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