Integrity- People of God

Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, God have called themkings and priests on the earth. These are God given earthly positions that have certain roles, functions and responsibilities upon the earth. We see these roles displayed in the life of Christ, the One in whom we are to get our identity and should also mimic, impersonate and imitate while we live on this earth. As image bearers of God and Christ followers our purpose is to display the love, mercy and the forgiveness of God whichbrings glory to His name on the earth.   

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV

We were chosen by God to be royal priest to God, His own special people who will proclaim Him in this dark and perverted world and intercede for those who are lost.  Through faith in the completed work of Jesus, people from every tongue, tribe and nation are able to come to God, to know and worship Him and to reflect His image on the earth. 

Humanity went astray doing what they wanted and turning their backs on God.  God called Abraham and made a nation of people, the Jews, to represent Him on the earth.  God promised to send the Righteous Lamb of God, Jesus, who would one day come to take away the sin of the world.  Jesus, our High Priest would become the sacrifice to God and represent the people before God and to pay the price so that God would forgive their trespasses and sins.  Jesus sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for His people

The earth and all that was in it was given to humanity, but they took their authority and deeded or titled it over to Satan in the fall. Mankind transferred their right to rule to Satan and that is the reason there is so much hate, death and destruction on the earth.  Jesus came as the Son of Man and through His life, death and resurrection recovered and restoredthe Kingdom of God to mankind so that those who believe in Him would now have a new life, a new way of living in His Kingdom on the earth. 

God has called these true believers and true followers of Christ, kings and priests to show true love to people who are in desperate need of love and end up in deception of perverted since of false love.  They are to show the forgiveness of God to those around them and those who have wronged them in this fallen world.  Through forgiveness the world may see God’s love displayed on the earth in them.  Christ followers are made kings and priests and they are to perform these duties in the kingdom of God on earth. Through faith in Christ we are able to be set free from the bondage of sin, hate and blame and become co-workers with Christ in this earthly realm which God has given back to us withthe authority to rule and to reign.

God revealed Himself as King of the heavens and He has given mankind the opportunity to rule as kings in the earth as He rule in the heavens. God established His people as kings to rule their kingdom, the areas which they live and as kings they are accountable for the realm in which they reign.  A king’s role is to protect and defend their kingdom from their enemy and hostile attacks.  The king is charged with keeping the peace in his realm, they establish laws and the administration of justice and to resolve disputes. A king is the protector of the poor and provide for those who are in need. We see these things displayed in God’s character and His relationship with His people. These are the qualities and character traits God is looking to see in His Children as royal kings on the earth, who represent Him and His kingdom in the earthly realm.

Psalm 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind. NIV

Jesus became the Everlasting High Priest, as He made atonement to God for all mankind and He is interceding before God for His people.  Thistoo is the role of every follower of Christ, to be a priest praying to God and making prayers of intercession for those who are lost and those who are in the realm of our influence. Christ hung on the cross asking God,His Father, to forgive those who nailed Him to the cross.  We too should pray for those who press into our lives, which have misused and abusedus, because people do not know who we are, we are children of the Most High God. Forgiveness is not a natural trait, it is supernatural and we must ask God to help us and to give the forgiveness we need.  

Hebrews 2:14–18 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. NKJV

Again, for those who do not know their purpose, Jesus came to be our example as both King and Priest. We too can do what is just in an unjust world and intercede for those who have mistreated and offended us. We are to pray to God that He will give us the forgiveness we need to overcome the hurt, the pain so that we may become a facilitator for change. We can pray for God to use those hard situations and the wounds that we have experienced, to save a life or a soul for eternity. We too can pray, Father forgive them because they do not know what they are do!

Now what does God require of us as kings and priest?

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? NKJV