Priests Live as Examples

Oct. 25

Read: Phil 3:17, 1 Thes. 1:2-10

The People of God;

A Holy and Royal Priesthood

Priests Live as Examples

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (Phil. 3:17)

“You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord…so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” (1 Thes. 1:5,7)

One of the last characteristics of the priesthood is this: priests seek to live lives that can be used as an example. We look to one another to see the love, grace, mercy, and life of Christ worked out. We cannot do this apart from Christ, but Christ in us transforms us and enables us to walk in this “newness of life”. (cf. Rom. 6:4) The desire of a “holy and royal priest” is to carry out the work of the Lord… to be obedient to the Lord’s calling and instruction. This becomes even more important when we consider our previous devotion - that priests are called to “listen to the voice of the Lord”. What good is it to hear the Lord speak through his written word and through his Spirit, and yet not do what he is calling us to do?

Our obedience lends credibility to the word of the Lord that we bring. We live as examples, but even better than that we live as messengers who tell the world what the Lord is saying as well as declare that the Lord can be heard. As a priesthood we tune our ears to His voice and we also obey. Many have heard the Lord speak, but how many actually obey what he says? Some may feel like the Lord is silent to them. Is he? Have you done what he has asked you? Are you asking him to tell you more things for you to ignore? Sometimes we may be tempted to fixate on an area he has not spoken into yet… while neglecting the very things he has made so clear!? Remember the words of Jesus:

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10)

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21)

Faithful with a little = entrusted with more!

The Lord IS speaking to you, it is why he has called you out as a priest and made you holy to love and minister to this world around you and to your fellow priests. Be encouraged today… and look for chances to both hear and speak to the Lord today. Seek to do the things he calls you to. It is a noble thing to desire to live a life that can be used as an example. This is the “priesthood of ALL believers” … not just a group of “professional holy-men”. Take time to be still, listen, and be who God has called you to be today. Love you guys. - JDP