Daily Focus

Being a priest is serious business. We have a manner of life. We have responsibilities. We must maintain our purity in Christ. God has expectations of us. Let us make sure we are living as New Testament priest should. (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Pet. 2:5)

We have restrictions.  They are God’s New Testament  law. Here are just a fee to consider. We are to be about making peace with our brother before we go to God. We are to worship God and do His will. We are not to worship in vain. We cannot teach man maid doctrine or commands. We must keep the commands on marriage.  (Matt. 5:23-24; Eph. 6:23; John 9:31; Matt. 15:9; 1 Cor. 7:39; Matt. 19:9)

We are consecrated as priest. We are washed. We have our clothing and armor. We have the blood of Christ to cover us. We need to make sure we are living as priest. We need to be living the way God has commanded us to live.  (Eph. 5:26; Acts 22:16; Eph. 6:14-17; 1 Pet. 1:2)

We have a wonderful High Priest. His not with out understanding of our suffering. He paid the ultimate sin offering for us. He is our Rock and our Savior. I’m proud to call Jesus my High Priest. (Heb. 7:22-26; 6:20)

The Patriarchal and Levitical priesthood came to an end. The Kingdom of God is at hand. There is a new High Priest by a new order. However, God has changed nothing. We are now God’s priest in His Kingdom.  (1 Pet. 2:5,9)

There was the Levitical, Jewish, Priesthood. This priesthood is an anti-type for us. They were in position to make offerings. They were consecrated by being washed and offering a sin offering. They had restrictions like we do. They faced death like we face spiritual death for usurping the office.  (Numbers 18:1-6,7; Leviticus 8:6-8,14-18; 21:1, 14-17; 9:2, 10-11; 18; Hebrews 7:12)

There has always been a priesthood. Before the law it was the Patriarchal priesthood. They officiated at the altar of the Lord. This priesthood is the line that Christ comes from. We become priests through Christ. Our job and  place runs deep. Think about that today.   (Gen. 8:20; 12;7 14:18-20; 4:3; John 4:20-23; Heb. 6:20)

You are a priest. We are not priest as the world deems priesthoods. We need to remember our place, duty, and role in God’s kingdom.  (1 Pet. 2:5,9)

We are not pacifists in our spiritual life. We have a battle we must actively fight in. We must practice obedience the most. God tells us how to win. It can be a romantic life as a Christian soldier by the work and battle we fight. Look at how we think of Paul. Be a soldier for Christ. He has called you to it. (Matt. 28:18-20)

The opposing army will lose. They have a reward awaiting them. It’s a loser’s award. It is not anything any one desires. They will receive the second death and reside in the lake of fire for eternity. Belong to the victor’s army for our reward is Heaven.  (Rev. 21:8)

Only one will win. There is no second place. You cannot get a silver or bronze metal. There is only one victor. That victor is God’s army in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)

We do not get the crown we long for unless we finish the race. We can not receive the crown unless we keep the faith. We will not be offered the crown unless we have fought the good fight. Who would not want the promised crown of life? (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

There is not a place like France in this battle. There is not a neutral zone. You are either with God and fighting or you are not.  (Matt. 12:30)

One thing we must remember is the affairs of this world are just that. They are of this world. We cannot fight and be entangled in them. Who would go into battle entangled in a net? How could you win your battle like that? Therefore, let not the affairs of this world entangle you and prohibit you from fighting the good fight. (2 Tim. 2:4)

Our battle field is expansive. It travels beyond the sunrise and sunset. It can be overwhelming to think there is no safe place away from battle on this earth. For our battle field is the world. Our rest and safety are in God. Always be ready. (Mark. 16:15b, 2 Tim. 4:2)

Sometimes we would like to take a back seat in this war. We cannot. We are not in a defensive position. We are commanded to be on the offensive. If we take a defensive stance we may turn the victory over to the devil. Let us always be on the offense for God. (Matt. 5:16a)

We have the most extraordinary armor. It is like nothing man has ever imagined. We have truth for a belt to hold everything together. We have righteousness to protect our vital organs. We have the gospel of peace as shoes to keep us ready and moving. We have faith as a shield to protect us from the blows of evil. We have salvation that protects our mind. We attack with the Word of God as our sword.  (Eph. 6:14-18)

God has called us to battle. He is our leader. He has already obtained victory.  He has given us armor to wage war in. We can rest assured we will emerge victorious.  (Eph. 6:11-13)