A royal priesthood This is our identity because it is the destiny of all who get born again

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1 Understanding the following is CRUCIAL TO knowing and living in our TRUE SPITITUAL IDENTITY and DESTINY as a BORN AGAIN child of God because this is who we are: (1 Peter 2:9-12) But you are a: Chosen generation (literally: chosen offspring i.e. of Abraham s seed) *** KEEP IN MIND: Many are called (invited) but few are chosen (Matt 22:14). Those who are chosen have: (Eph 4:24-25)...put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness... (and have)... put away lying, and speak to every man the truth. A royal priesthood This is our identity because it is the destiny of all who get born again o ROYAL (PEOPLE) (CWSD: says this refers to God s people who are: called to be royal (i.e. officially appointed rulers) who have dominion and are clothed with (character displaying) royal dignity, meaning having character (godly fruit) that is being worthy of honor or respect (i.e. PUT ON the new man). o PRIESTHOOD This is the function or purpose for all born again Christians which (CWSD) defines as offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:3) You also, as lively stones are a, (lit: carrier of the living word) built up (God s) spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. spiritual sacrifices a study of these Greek words literally refers to: putting to death all aspects of carnality through spiritual acts (teaching doctrine, giving correction and instruction through the Word and grace (i.e. spiritual power and gifts of God). An holy nation (Acts 20:32) I commend you to God, and to the word (i.e. right doctrine & instruction) by his grace (supernatural power and favor) which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. o BUILD YOU UP NT:3618 oikodomeo (oy-kod-om-eh'- o); to be a house-builder, CWSD: To establish, strengthen, rebuild and repair (make whole i.e. mature) 1

2 through instruction, correction and right doctrine i.e. operating through God s grace i.e. gifts). A peculiar people; CWSD: NT:4047 it means a people acquired or purchased in a peculiar, SPECIAL or unique manner from among all others for Himself Sept.: (Mal 3:17, "they shall be to me for an acquisition") [a.t.], i.e., a peculiar (SPECIAL property) (Mal 3:16-18) Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another: and the Lord LISTENED, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name And they shall be mine, said the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son (to have compassion and pity upon one) that serves him... (acts of service that constitute true worship) 18 because you return, there is discernment between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not. (were chosen to) shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light The PROCESS of receiving our TRUE identity and destiny is greatly hindered or can be stopped if our carnal nature is not crucified Gal 5:24-6:1 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh (have died to their old carnal nature by dying daily to it I die daily) to the affections and lusts If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual (walking and living in the spirit and according to the carnal), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Gal 6:4-8 But let every man prove his own work, (lit: examine what you are occupied or involved with) and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another (if we do our own examination). 5 For every man shall bear (take responsibility for) his own burden (oppression). 2

3 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, (allows to be sowed or deposited within him) that shall he also reap. 8 For he that sows to his flesh (carnal desires) shall from the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap life everlasting. If we don t do the above we are subject to: (1 Tim 4:1-2) Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to (lit: allowing our mind to be influenced by) seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Gal 5:24-6:1 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. We are told that in the last days this would be the case 2 Tim 3: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate (lit: self deceived) concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest men, as theirs also was. 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me 12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing (lit: thoroughly examining those) of whom thou hast learned them KJV 3

4 (2 Tim 4:2-5) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. THE PURGING FIRE OF GOD (Job 1:8-11) Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job (his name means persecuted i.e. or targeted) one? He is blameless a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil." 9 Satan replied to the Lord, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" NLT This was the wicked accusation of Satan concerning (Job) an upright man, but there are many who profess to love God in this present day world, that may be rightly accused of that which Job was wrongly accused. WHY? Because they love God after a fashion because He prospers them; but if things go bad for them, they lose their boasted faith in God. They don t clearly see that since the time of their supposed conversion, it was because the world had been good to them, that they were content and loved God in their poor carnal way; but if they endure adversity they soon begin to lose their honor and respect for the Lord because their love was not genuine love, it was carnal. Their love is greater for God s provision, than it is for their provider; their love is a greater love for God s blessings, than their love for the God who rules over His family. As for those Christians who genuinely love God, they expect to inherit their Father s rewards in the next life, and they fully expect to endure hardness in this life, for they know they are promised much adversity in this life, because God wants a fruitful family. Remember our Savior s words "Every branch in Me that bears not fruit" What does God do? "He purges it, that it may bring forth fruit. (John 15:2-3) Every branch in me that bears not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. KJV This means If you are to bring forth fruit, you will have to endure fiery trials, which means you will experience affliction and troubles SO YOUR FRUIT CAN BE SEEN. "Oh no!" you say, "That sounds like a terrible promise to look forward to!" But this affliction results in precious results so that the Christian who is the subject of it, will learn to rejoice 4

5 in tribulations, because as his tribulations abound, the reality of God s support and strength that produces deliverance from all that defiles becomes a reality through Christ Jesus the living Word of God. (Ps 34:19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord deliverers him out of them all. KJV Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the Father s rod. Sooner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from what is earthly and carnal so you can be made ready for eternity in heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present, and made to long for eternal things which need to be revealed to you. So if you are tempted to feel that your present fiery and purging trials and troubles are for no good reason, bear in mind that without them you will not be able to rejoice in your inheritance as a saint and be rewarded as an overcomer in your eternal future destiny. (Acts 20:32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance AMONG ALL THEM THAT ARE SANCITFIED. KJV WE MUST ALLOW GOD ORDAINED SERVANTS TO SPEAK INTO OUR LIVES! (2 Tim 4:2-5) 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 5

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