Revelation 1:5-6
“…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.”
Can you imagine being a king or priest to God? Well, this is what the Bible indicates God’s people are. First, as kings or priests, we’d fulfill the role of being a ruler, “especially one who inherits the position by right of birth,” and “someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God” (Merriam-Webster).
Rulership in God’s kingdom on earth involves many things including these few:
studying to show ourselves approved, those who don’t need to be ashamed as we rightly divide God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15); studying and meditating on the scriptures so that we know the Lord’s character and teachings;
articulating God’s vision of Luke 24:46-57, “Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” In addition, Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”;
making wise decisions through the Lord’s counsel. “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:1);
bearing with and forgiving one another, “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13); and
serving one another in love, “be devoted to one another in love…” (Romans 12:10), “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), and “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Though perhaps debatable to some believers, the Bible teaches us that Jesus has given us his authorization to do certain things as his family (i.e., pray, preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, etc., Mark 16:17-20; Matthew 6:5-7; Matthew 10:8; and Luke 9:2). I’d say those are some awesome duties. Apparently, God thinks a lot of us to trust us with the assignments He has given us.
Now what if we all treated one another like royalty or church leadership? Furthermore, it surely seems a stretch but, what if we treated even our enemies that way? What would this look like?
The Bible gives us clear directions on how we should treat one another. It tells us in Romans 12:3, “…to everyone who is among you, don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” So we should maintain an attitude of humility with one another. In doing this we can perhaps more easily carry out John 13:34-35, “…love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Moreover, this commandment to love one another actually fulfills the law (Romans 13:10).
How do we know we are loving one another? It’s when we show honor, respect, consideration, attention, and appreciation toward one another.
Regarding those who are in opposition to us, or offend us, Romans 12:20 tells us if our enemy is hungry, we should feed him. Further, Matthew 5:43-48 gives us some astonishing and seemingly impossible instructions on how we should relate to our enemies:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Forgiving our enemies is not a simple teaching to act upon. Nevertheless, it is one of the Lord’s commands. I’m convinced it is achievable only through submission to the Holy Spirit and prayer.
In any event, being included in such a special royal family is a privilege. Especially if its head is the creator of the universe and all things. Surely, the Lord is faithful to help us represent him and one another honorably as he is the author and finisher of our faith. As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us (James 1:5).
Ms. Rita's Minute 