But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light – 1st Peter 2:9.

Every believer has the privilege and responsibility of direct access to God. In the Old Testament, the family of Aaron was designated as a priesthood to God. In the New Testament that priesthood becomes the birthright of every Christian. With privilege comes a twofold responsibility, sacrifice, and intercessory prayer. The sacrifice of the believer is his body, his praise to God, his substance and his service.In the book of Genesis, the role of the priest was assumed by the head of the clan (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). The first Israelites to be formally identified as priests were Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Yet upon Israel’s arrival at Sinai, unidentified priests are recorded among the Israelites, perhaps from among the firstborn offered to Yahweh. In the sanctuary service, the priests were charged with maintaining holiness. They alone were to tend to the golden incense altar, the lamps, the Bread of the Presence, and the altar of sacrifice. But the primary role of a priest was that of a mediator representing God before mankind, and mankind before God.

Every born-again Christian is designated into the office of a priest, our demeanor shouldn’t be that of the world. Priests are called by God to be holy and separate from the world’s way of thinking and behavior. Priests are holy unto the Lord which implies sacredness, being consecrated to God or being worthy of God. In order to qualify for this label, a person or thing has to be free from impurity. There can be no hint of moral pollution or spiritual defilement. To be holy is to be free from anything that would offend a perfect God. This may seem to be impossible for one to live free from sin, but as we allow the Spirit of God to sanctify us through His Holy Spirit dwelling in our very being, He is able to transform us.

By the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, He enables us to abstain from fleshly lust which war against our soul. As we yield ourselves to God, and as we soberly and vigilantly resist the devil and all of his temptation, we will experience living a life that will be well-pleasing to God. Holy living should be our goal and not merely because God commands it, but also because it befits our true identity. In Christ we’re no longer citizens of a sinful world, but the people of God (I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of this world – John 17:15-16). Believers are transformed not only internally which describes us as being made into “a holy priesthood”, but also externally.

When we begin to walk in the position of the priesthood, we no longer have the desires of the world, but our affection will be on the things of God. Our appetite changes from secular music to gospel and worship music. We no longer attend or desire to go to secular concerts, but holy convocations. Our entire body will be a living sacrifice to God (I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God Romans 12:1-2). Christians whose mind haven’t been renewed by the Word of God and their hearts transformed by the Spirit of God think there is nothing wrong with participating with secular activities. that is contrary to the Word of God. This is why it is so important for professing Christians, to take the time to read and study the Word of God to see what is acceptable and not acceptable for Christians living according to the Word of God, His written instructions are for the believer.

As Christians, we have to adapt to the Word of God, it’s no longer our will, but God’s will. It’s no longer our desire, but we should have God’s desire, and that’s when it will begin to be no longer our will, but His will. God hasn’t given us instructions to live by that we can’t uphold to when we totally submit ourselves to Him. He will empower us through His Spirit to live according to His written Word. As a priest we have to go into the inner court, we can’t enter without holiness, the inner court is where we feel the Spirit of God, we hear His voice. The more we give Him ourselves in praying, fasting, reading and studying the Word the more He gives us discernment of His Word,  and the Spirit realm, the Fruit and the Gifts of the Spirit will be in manifestation when we access the inner court.  As priests, we have to go before God on the behalf of unbelievers, intercessory prayer is made on the behalf of the believer as well as the unbeliever. As priests our commitment should be to God and His Word.