Priesthood

 Priesthood 

A priest is an individual who raises an altar with a sacrifice unto God. In the Old Testament, only the Levitical priesthood had the authority to offer sacrifices to God. However, through Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, He became the eternal high priest, bringing about perfection in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:11-28). This emphasizes the completeness of the salvation offered through Him. When we accept Jesus, we are transformed into priests to God (Revelation 1:6, 1 Peter 2:9).      

    The scripture declares, "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”(1 Peter 2:5). Our core purpose is to function as priests serving God, thereby facilitating the fulfillment of His will on earth. Additionally, our relationship with God brings Him pleasure. This stems from our creation in His image, with Him breathing life into us, shaping us as spiritual beings residing within human bodies. This distinctive creation affords us dominion over the earth, granting legal authority to operate in both the spiritual realm and our physical world. Consequently, we have the capability to interact with spiritual beings.

    Because we are designed to be priests to God, we possess the unique ability to operate in both the spiritual realm and the physical world. To transact in the spiritual realm, an altar must be raised. Raising an altar is essential to grant God access to our physical world for His will to be done. As discussed in my previous blogs, altars are where we give spiritual entities the legal right to operate in our physical world.

    In today’s blog, we will be discussing the role of a priest and the authority it commands. The primary responsibility of a priest is to ensure that God's will is accomplished. Every believer is entrusted with a unique assignment on Earth, and regardless of the specific calling, fulfilling God's will requires His assistance. Taking on our role as priests becomes crucial because God operates through us. To enable His work through us, we must provide Him access, allowing His presence to enter our physical world, influencing and directing us. This Access is facilitated by establishing an altar, and it requires a priest to operate it, directing God's agenda.

    In my previous blog titled "What are Altars," which I recommend you read for a comprehensive understanding of priesthood, I explained that our lives serve as altars to God. I  expounded on His desire to utilize our lives to manifest His glory and fulfill His will. However, for this to materialize, we must extend an invitation for His presence. Once that is accomplished, He initiates the process of renewing our minds and effecting transformation. Subsequently, we engage in the process of consecration, involving fasting, unceasing prayer, and diligent study of scriptures.

    As your relationship with God deepens, evolving into a fatherly connection, you will progress through three stages: Mercy, Love, and Grace. In the initial stage, Mercy, you grasp the concept of His salvation through His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ—how mercy was extended to us even while we were in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8). Following that, you progress to the second stage, where you encounter His love, understanding the profound exchange facilitated for us through the blood of Jesus. This understanding empowers us to confidently approach His throne of grace, seeking mercy. Additionally, you come to realize that salvation is not merely an escape from judgment (hell) but an invitation to cultivate a relationship with God (John 3:16). At this point, you find yourself in love with God, acknowledging that entering into a faithful relationship with Him is our reasonable service. Subsequently, you advance to the third stage—Grace. In this stage, you have gained knowledge and firsthand experience of Him, recognizing Him as a benevolent God. We acknowledge our position as joint heirs with God (Romans 8:17), bestowed with authority to operate in His power and witness the manifestation of Christ within us. At this juncture, the priesthood is born, signifying a sincere desire to faithfully serve Him. God begins to reveal little insights into His attributes, providing glimpses of His love and judgment. 

    The core of priesthood is found in the unwavering service to God and the prioritization of His will above all. This requires aligning one's own will with His, embracing a life devoted to sacrifice. Taking on the role of a priest involves a consecration process that commences with a dedicated pursuit of God, seeking His will through ceaseless prayers. Additionally, it entails a continual study of the Bible to deepen one's understanding of God. Establishing a connection with the Holy Spirit is crucial, as His guidance is essential for comprehending the Bible and hearing God. In the journey of priesthood, the Holy Spirit serves as the guiding force.

    When establishing an altar for God, the priest of the altar must undergo the process of consecration. This process is characterized by an exchange where one relinquishes self and desires, choosing to live for Christ by following His instructions. In this exchange, Jesus takes the place of your life, bearing the consequences of your iniquities. Living His life and abiding in Him leads to bearing fruit, as emphasized in the scripture "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4). Just as a branch cannot bear fruit independently without being connected to the vine (Jesus), we also cannot bear fruit without being connected to Him.

    Before we delve deeper into the priesthood, let us first discuss consecration. Consecration occurs when an individual surrenders their life to God, living in righteousness and obedience to Him. The pathway to consecration involves ceaseless prayer, fasting, and continuous study of the Bible. As we take the initiative to engage in these practices, the Holy Spirit takes over and begins to renew our minds and transform us. This marks the initial steps toward righteousness. 

    Ceaseless prayer, fasting, and continuous study of the Bible serve as spiritual reservoirs for the Holy Spirit to effect change; transformation and growth cannot occur without them. It is crucial to recognize that unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting are inherently spiritual practices that also function as potent weapons. They can be likened to a person enlisting in the army to become a soldier. Just as soldiers must undergo rigorous boot camp training to be equipped for survival and success, engaging in unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting prepares individuals spiritually, enhancing their readiness and effectiveness in serving God. Unceasing prayer, continuous study of the Bible, and fasting enhance your potential for God to utilize you.  

     Let's face it, a life of sacrifice is challenging, and these trials motivate us to align ourselves with the Lord and walk in His authority. Initially, we may desire deliverance from our challenges, but as the Lord's work within us transforms us into what He desires us to be, our focus shifts from self to God's will. We remember the scripture from Matthew 6:33, which states 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.' This reassures us that He will provide for our needs and resolve our challenges. As our focus shifts solely to God, the reality of this scripture begins to manifest in our lives. He provides for us, perhaps not always in the ways we anticipate, but He will indeed fulfill our needs.

    The level of consecration within your priesthood acts as the catalyst or power source for your altar when declaring God's word. In simpler terms, the effectiveness of your altar is determined by your priesthood. The validity of your priesthood relies on your consecration because God is holy, and as Scripture says, "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34). God's response is shaped by your consecration and obedience. The outcome of the ongoing process of consecration to God enables the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When you align with His spirit, the spirit of your altar (the Holy Spirit) directs you daily in accordance with the Father's (God's) will.

    When an altar is dedicated to God, the devil, and his spirits target the priest. These spirits operate within the legal framework established by God. If the priest is not consecrated to God and does not possess the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) — including the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, a belt of truth, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit — there will be retaliation. Even when consecrated, if the priest lacks knowledge or if there is an open door or a lack of rules of engagement, attacks may occur. This underscores the crucial importance of partnering with the Holy Spirit and allowing His guidance. In the priesthood, you are enlisted into a spiritual war, serving as God's vessel to resist the forces of darkness and establish God's presence. The forces of darkness will inevitably counteract (fight back).

    The duty of a priest is to fulfill God's will and enable God's presence to influence our space and world through our altars, as we are considered the temple of God with the Spirit dwelling in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The scriptures also instruct us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). This implies that for God to recognize our altar and support us, the priest must be consecrated, set apart to God, signifying holiness and acceptability. Reading books in the scriptures, such as Leviticus, Chronicles, and Kings, etc, reveals the high level of consecration expected of priests. Since God is holy and desires His temple undefiled (1 Corinthians 3:17), it emphasizes that we, as His priests, need to maintain a level of consecration.

    For a priest to wield a powerful altar, they must be consecrated and set apart to God. I cannot emphasize this enough—the fuel for your altar is your consecration to God. A priest consecrated to God commands power and protection; the jealousy of God hovers over the priest. If you touch God's anointed, you are inviting God's wrath. God fights for His priests (Nahum 1:2).

    God's presence resides in an altar where He holds lordship, and where God dwells, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:16). God is deliberate in His principles; He approaches individuals as they are, as affirmed in scripture: "With the merciful, You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd"(Psalms 18:25-26).

    To summarize, our duties as priests to God entail ushering God’s presence into our physical world to fulfill His will. We must be holy and acceptable to God, set apart to command His authority, and accomplish great exploits. As priests of God, we protect and intercede for our territory, including our family, friends, and sphere of influence. Reading this particular blog is not a coincidence; it is a divine call from God to embrace your priesthood. Answer the call! The trials you are currently facing, which are compelling you to pray and fast, are God's way of getting your attention.

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer of priesthood. It serves as a powerful blueprint for prayer, offering guidance on how to pray and shaping the posture of our hearts. It not only provides comprehensive protection but also ensures that our prayers are aligned with God's will. I urge you to set aside some time to deeply contemplate its profound meaning and significance.

The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:2-4, Matthew 6:9-13)

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.