Page 9 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

has saved us from so much, has brought five times in the NT. On four of those oc-
us into such an elevated place, and given casions, it is translated “virtue.” It has the
us such a hope for the future. But in this idea of something that evokes admiration
verse we are told that in offering praise to and would be better translated “excellen-
God we are functioning as priests. cies.” It is always used in a moral sense
Then again, in verse 16 we read, “But in the NT.
to do good and to communicate [share] If “a holy priesthood” emphasizes our
forget not: for with such sacrifices God is responsibilities Godward, “a royal priest-
well pleased.” In sharing what we have hood” emphasizes our responsibilities
with those in greater need, we are actually manward. Notice that the Lord had called
offering up to God spiritual sacrifices and these people “out of darkness into his
giving Him pleasure. Similarly, in Philip-
pians 4:18, Paul refers to the gift that the marvellous light.” While this statement
Philippian Christians had sent to support relates to a change in their standing before
him in prison in Rome as “an odour of a God, it is also indicating that God has
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well- effected a moral transformation in their
pleasing to God.” In seeking to support lives. Hence, as a royal priesthood, our
those who serve God, we are functioning function is to display the beautiful moral
as holy priests. qualities of the Lord Jesus to a world that
has rejected Him. There are a variety of
A Royal Priesthood ways in which we can do this. We can do
In 1 Peter 2:9 we read, “But ye are a cho- it in the public preaching of the gospel.
sen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy We can do it by inviting people to attend
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should a gospel meeting. We can do it by giving
shew forth the praises of him who hath gospel tracts. However, the best gospel
called you out of darkness into his marvel- tract is displaying Christlike features in
lous light.” In this verse we are given four our lives.
descriptions that are true of all believers. Many years ago, an evangelist was hav-
First, we are a chosen generation (or race); ing gospel meetings in a city in England.
that is, we share a common origin. Second, He was staying with a coal merchant. One
we are a royal priesthood; that is, we share
a common function. Third, we are a holy day the coal merchant returned home
nation; that is, we share a common loyalty. from his work and mentioned to the evan-
Finally, we are a peculiar people (a people gelist that he had been giving out tracts
whom He has acquired); that is, we share a that day. The evangelist said to him, “You
common ownership. Paul tells us that “ye should have told me earlier. I would have
are not your own … ye are bought with come with you to give out tracts.” The man
a price” (1Co 6:19,20). For our purpose replied, “Not these tracts.” He had been
we will only look at “a royal priesthood.” giving sacks of coal to poor people who
Notice that the purpose of this royal couldn’t afford to buy coal. Selfless giving
priesthood is “that ye should shew forth to the poor is the best tract that you can
the praises of him who hath called you give. In this and other ways, even by the
out of darkness into his marvellous light.” way we respond to ill treatment, we are
The word translated “praises” appears functioning for God as royal priests.

265
TruthandTidings.com I September 2023 265