As I pondered these words, I realized that this is a subject the Church needs to know. What is a Priest? What are your duties as a Priest? Are you ready to become a Priest? These are all questions that I will try to answer.
What is a Priest? The Hebrew and Greek words for priest tells us that they are doing the work of ministry, although a laymen, and to wear the regalia or clothes to be noticed or set apart, and to mediate in religious service and preform sacred and holy functions.
The Word of God puts each Christian into this holy ministry as priest by being born again (1 Peter 2:5,9 and Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6). You are anointed by God at the new birth to be a Priest unto God and to your fellow man. To show them they can be reconciled unto God who loves them so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to make the way for them to enter His presence as His children (John 3:16).
W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary says this about Priest: a priesthood consisting of all believers, the whole Church, not a special order among them. He also makes this statement about Israel and the Priesthood. Israel was primarily designed as a nation, to be a kingdom of priest, offering service to God (Exodus 19:6). The Israelites renounced their obligation (Exodus 20:19). The Aaronic Priesthood was started, till Christ came to fulfil His Ministry in offering up Himself.
I hope this is enough to convince each of you, that we are all Priest unto God, male or female makes no difference. We are all priest as long as we are born again and have Gods seed in us.
What are the duties of a Priest? Once again I will use W.E Vine and quote from his book. We are to be the priest who offer up sacrifices to God as believers in Christ Jesus as our High Priest. The New Testament knows nothing of a sacerdotal class in contrast to laity. All believers are commanded to offer up the sacrifice mentioned in Romans 12:1, Philippines 2:17, Hebrews 13: 15,16, and 1 Peter 2:5.
What are these sacrifices that we as Priest are to offer up to God? In Romans 12:1, we read that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. This means we are to be aware of what we allow ourselves to see, hear, touch, smell, or speak. When we do these things we are putting our bodies into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27) and not allowing our flesh to be allowed to indulge itself. We are to be aware of who we are, and become responsible for our actions, so we do not bring dishonor to our Father God.
Another duty of a Priest is to offer up praises unto God (Hebrews 13:15). This means we are to offer up praise when we feel like it and when we do not, as it becomes a sacrifice unto God by a grateful child.
Peter tells us to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter2:5). All the sacrifices we as Priest are to offer up are all spiritual in nature. They consist of sacrifices of our wills, our acts of worship, our acts of thanksgiving and praise.
I believe I have explained what our duties are as priest. Now to answer my final question. Are you ready to become a Priest? As priest we are always in training, to become more like Jesus is our goal. Going to Church should be looked upon as our school of higher education. Our assembling together is our lecture hall where the professor tries to teach us how to become more like Jesus, and who we are in Him. We need to take our education seriously and not become dropouts. We should seek to excel as good students. Not only should we listen to the Man of God, but we should become students of the Word at home also (2 Timothy 2:15). Not just once a week, but daily study the Word for yourself, and you will not be so easily led astray.
Now I want to challenge each of you to do this exercise. Decide upon a day and become a Priest. Dress the part if you are able to. Lay out your clothes before you go to bed. When you awake in the morning, go to the mirror and tell the sleepy person you see there, that You are a Priest unto God, my Father. Then wash your face or take your shower, then get dressed as a priest. Be serious about it or you will not get the benefit of your actions.
Go to breakfast and then do your daily devotions according to what I have written or whatever you are accustomed to do. Then when you are ready, go to your Father and tell Him “Father, I am ready for what ever You need me do today”.
Trust God, and see what assignment He gives you to do. Enjoy your day, and let me know what God does in your life, and what blessings He allows you to enjoy.
Remember, you will make it, just don’t give up. See you next week.
The Kilted Priest 