The Inner Life

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”. 1 Peter 2:9

By what right have we become “a royal priesthood”? It is by the right of the atonement by the Cross of Christ that this has been accomplished. The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God. Until we get into this right and proper relationship with God, it is simply a case of our “hanging on by the skin of our teeth,” although we say, “What a wonderful victory I have!” Then don’t worry anymore about yourself, but begin to join Jesus and do as Christ has said, in essence, “Pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men.” Pray with the realization that you are perfect only in Christ Jesus, not on the basis of this argument: “Oh, Lord, I have done my best; please hear me now.”

But that would have you notice things about yourself, like not wanting to be told what to do? Especially when it comes to directions or that all Christians are to be priests; you see the Christian church is actually a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6) We must mediate Christ’s love into a dark and troubled world. Just as priests are agents of reconciliation to God and others, so are we to be such mediators not just “Fans in the Stands”?

Some people will wander around for hours, complaining aimlessly and totally be lost before stopping to ask for directions and use the status given to us by God to carry a message to minister to others in a way that leads people in the Church and in the world to be reconciled to God and to each other.
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The same thing happens when putting things together. Usually when we get a new piece of furniture, or new computer software, the first thing we do is take out the parts, or the disk, and start working. Look at the manual? Forget about it! Often, we end up with odd parts left over or haven’t the faintest clue how to use the new program once its installed. If we had just used the manual we would have saved so much trouble, and gotten a much better result.

When it comes to life we often react the same way. We don’t want anyone telling us how to live, especially if it is of a different philosophy, tradition or family upbringing. We just go on living as we always have making it up as we go. We have a manual, a book of directions it’s the Bible. We should read it; understand it, live by it. But it’s a pretty big manual and many of us don’t take the time to read the whole thing. Just like when we buy a program we don’t look for the manual, we reach for the little card labeled Quick Start. It gives us just what we need to get by until we are ready to delve in deeper.

In the past, have you ever thought about the following questions: What is an intimate relationship with God? Are we prepared to purposely disregard ourselves and launch out into the priestly work of prayer? Why isn’t there a little Quick Start guide to those question in the Bible? Not for only answers to that question, but ones about our relationship with ourselves, and our relationships with others, both in the community of believers and in the world. Realizing that there is no “quick start” to a deeper life with God. When we listen, follow Gods plan, and look for answers inwardly (the Bible), we no longer give people, institutions, or traditions authority to define who we are or what we can become. Those relationships aren’t like a packet of microwave popcorn that you can pop and enjoy three minutes later. Christian spiritual relationship takes time, effort, and most of all trust in God to grow deep. Remember we Christians are appointed, chosen, and ordained to this role of ambassador or priest, we might be reluctant to take the responsibility that is ours but He has given us a ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18).
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Ultimately, we have to remind ourselves that it takes great listening, maybe a different style, risk, as well as study, to develop an inner life with God. As we worship together each weekend, as we share our lives in small groups, as we serve together, and we give together, God helps us put down deep roots and understand there is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus. Once we are there, we have to pour out our lives for all we are worth in this ministry of the inner life.

In summary, believers are called "kings and priests" and a "royal priesthood" as a reflection of their privileged status as heirs to the kingdom of the Almighty God and of the Lamb. Because of this privileged closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary. Second, believers are called priests because salvation is not merely “fire insurance,” escape from hell. Rather, believers are called by God to serve Him by offering up spiritual sacrifices, i.e., being a people zealous for good works. As priests of the living God, we are all to give praise to the One who has given us the great gift of His Son's sacrifice on our behalf, and in response, to share this wonderful grace with others.

May God never allow us to settle for anything other than authentic community relationships being intentional and join Jesus daily in our 100 foot circle of friends and neighbors, so we can grow deep together and be reminded it’s not about “self”. It’s about God!

God Bless You and This Ministry!