A Holy and Royal Priesthood; Forgiveness

Oct. 17

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-12; James 5:16

The People of God;

A Holy and Royal Priesthood

Forgiveness

“You are a royal priesthood …” (v.9)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

One of the many things that the priesthood was involved with - is involved with - is the confession and forgiveness of sins. We may scoff at the idea in our minds - confessing to another person our sins - picturing a wooden closest with a curtain and a door. Yet, how do we read James 5:16? : “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This is effective because we are a Royal Priesthood! It is what priests have always done. It is BIBLICAL and correct that we confess our sins to one another. But what about the matter of “forgiveness”? Do we really play a part in that? JESUS IS THE ONE WHO HAS PAID THE PRICE FOR SIN. But sin-price payment is only one part of the equation. God works through His people to allow each other and the world to EXPERIENCE the truth of what Christ has done. Look at John 20:23, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” God allows us to be a powerful and integral part of facilitating the forgiveness made possible by Jesus.

In short, Jesus himself in John 20 says, “you have a chance to “funnel” my forgiveness into the world. You play a part in giving people forgiveness. Not because you bought the forgiveness yourself, but because you work for me - Jesus… The Perfect High Priest… as a priesthood.” You have the ability to allow someone else to experience the FORGIVENESS OF CHRIST as well as the ability to hinder that experience… or to “withhold” as John 20:23 says. SO ONE OF THE ROLES OF A PRIEST IS HELPING OTHERS TO BE FORGIVEN. You have a real chance to supernaturally offer forgiveness as well as experience forgiveness THROUGH the relationships you have with other believers. Today, you may need to hand some forgiveness out… or you may need to confess and seek to have it handed to you by another “priest”... another “saint”... another “servant of the Lord”.

As we continue to grow into our new role as a holy and royal priesthood., may we start with one of the most intimate and powerful parts - the giving and receiving of forgiveness. This truth has been hijacked and manipulated over the centuries, YET it is a genuine biblical part of the Christian journey. Let us not throw the baby out with the bathwater… so to speak! May we both give and receive the forgiveness of Christ today in real and powerful ways. Love you guys. - JDP