Identity - Obtaining Revelation From TruthSýnishorn

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” --1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

In the Bible, a priest is defined as someone who offers sacrifices and does duties pertaining to making sacrifices. We are a New Testament believer so we don’t offer sacrifices of lambs and bulls as they did in the Old. Our sacrifices in the New Testament are called spiritual sacrifices.

We are priests of God, seated with him in the heavenly realms. The Bible tells us in Hebrews that Jesus is our high priest. He is our example as a priest. We are to look at Jesus and see what Jesus would do. We are called to walk as Jesus walked, live as he lived. To live is Christ. It’s no longer I who live, it’s Christ in me. We can see the spiritual sacrifices we are to do in what Jesus did when he lived on this earth. 

First, Jesus gave a sacrificial love as a servant of God. In John 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. In John 13:14-15, Jesus said, “So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.” 

The second thing that Jesus showed us as high priest is we are to live our lives as givers. How did he give? He gave in so many ways when we look at the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus gave his life by feeding the hungry, providing healing to those in need. Jesus served and gave by teaching about the kingdom of God. Everything he did was giving, serving, and loving. 

Romans 12 says, “Believers, do not think highly of yourself.” We are not a priest to feel good about ourselves. We are to reflect the body of Christ in us. People have to see Christ in us. It’s not our own identity; it’s to show his identity. We show the world who he is when we live as Christ. 

Thank and praise your Heavenly Father that you are a chosen, holy and royal priest! Ask to be used for declaring and displaying His glory.