Who am I?

 

While researching her family tree, a neighbor discovered she was related to a queen. She didn’t say, but I imagined this affected her view of herself. A relative doing the same thing found out she is related to a well-known movie star. Imagine the effect of God telling someone this:

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5–6)

His message to the Jews was incredible. They were to be both priests and royalty. Sadly, they violated the covenant with Him and forfeited those privileges.

But God didn’t turn His back on humanity. The NT gives this same message to those who believe in Jesus:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

This idea of “royal” was about a royal palace, sovereignty, a crown, or a monarchy. Here it is royalty in general like we use ‘the royal house of England’ not as a building but a sphere of dominion. This is the same idea concerning God’s “spiritual house” referred to in verse 5. Those who believe in Jesus Christ serve Him as our King and will reign with Him in His sphere of dominion. Other verses affirm this amazing connection and our identity as His people:

You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

This is also practical. The devotional for today connects it to how Christians will eventually judge the world so if there are any disputes, we should not take them to our legal system but figure them out ourselves. (See 1 Corinthians 6:1–3).

In my thinking, this is [primarily a self-view issue. Some Christians have what is called “worm theology” and view themselves as unworthy and even useless. They have trouble praying or speaking about the Lord because they feel entirely unable. This self-view leaves Christ out and sees only the old nature with all its selfishness and weaknesses without realizing that this view is still self-focused. In Christ, we can do all things. In Christ, we can boldly approach the throne of grace for help in time of need. In Christ, we are chosen, a royal priesthood, holy, His people, not crawling on our bellies but standing before Him in confidence.

Today’s devotional says, “Never forget who you are in Christ, and don’t let sin or the world distract you from your priestly role.” Who I am in Christ gives me confidence. Worm theology does not. However, the world goes to the other extreme and encourages a strong, “I can do anything I want” view that puts my reliance on my skills and abilities instead of on Christ. That too is self-focused.

A biblical view is seeing me as God sees me, and to do that, I must be in the Word of God every day, discovering what He says rather than musing about how I feel or think. What God says is true. Other voices and ideas come and go and are often blatant lies. Only my Maker can give an honest report!

PRAY: Jesus, You are my Lord and my King. You created me and you know who I am, not merely what I was like before being chosen as Your child, but also what You have given me since that choice was made. Forgive me for a self-view that hits both extremes, either ‘poor me’ or ‘confident in me’ instead of seeing myself in You, and seeing You as all that I need. I am chosen. As if that were not enough, I am royalty, made a priest of God with the task of glorifying You, the God of glory. I am Your child, Your servant. I am also a sinful person who knows that none of what You have done for me is deserved or earned. Pride has no place in a biblical view of self, nor does self-depreciation befit the wonder of being Your child, Your priest. Oh, Lord, how amazing is all that You have done for Your people.

PONDER: ways that I can be a better example of one who represents His royal priesthood. It may not be exactly what He told Timothy, but whatever God wants from me, rely on Him to put that in my heart.

Command and teach these things . . . . Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to do it. (See 1 Timothy 4:11–13)

 

 

Consequences?

While the world often appears to be in chaos, there are spiritual principles that are as certain as gravity. Just as whatever goes up will come down, whoever rebels against God will pay the price, either in this life or eventually.

Yesterday, I heard of a young man who claims to believe in God but is leaving his wife because he wants to “live life to the full.” He says he loves her but being married seems to be cramping his style, whatever that means. Even as he makes this decision, he is full of doubt and heavy-hearted. His choice and response reflect a spiritual principle; go against the plan of God for life and marriage and hearts will be broken. I know it from experience as do many others.

It is not a surprise that the years preceding the coming of Christ were years of His people breaking His principles. Because “all sin and fall short” they could not keep the Law of God (no one can) and over the centuries, their need for a Savior became increasingly obvious. Why so long? It was not that God was ignoring or turning His back on their rebellion. He had been active in their lives and in world affairs. As history moved toward the great event of His incarnation, three factors were coming together to prepare the world for it: the Hebrews and their religion, the Greeks and their language, and the Romans and their social and political organization.

I’m looking at this more closely because what God did regarding rebellion for these nations is a picture of how He deals with people. First, just as He did with the Hebrews, He gives all of us an invitation to be His people, live in His kingdom and tell others the good news of a good God who loves them.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Exodus 19:5–6)

Just like the young man who is choosing to abandon his marriage, the people of Israel failed to keep the principles of God in their relationship with Him. Because of almost continuous disobedience and the gross sin of idolatry, God’s judgment fell with finality upon them in the year 587 B.C., and the nation was carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar into the land of Babylon. In other words, they were in bondage and unable to escape. Their rebellion had unpleasant consequences.

This principle has not changed. Today’s world is filled with examples. Compare the news with humanity’s general attitude toward the Laws of God and it is easily seen that God’s principles hold firm:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:18–25)

However, just as in the history of redemption, God is merciful . . .

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4–5)

There is an answer to sin and its consequences. While the consequences often remain, the sin can be forgiven. Light from God can change hearts. Even broken marriages can be restored. God promises to transform those who believe in Him. We may fight Him and think we know better, but He is faithful, even relentless. He gives joy to replace sorrow and peace of mind to replace guilt and anxiety.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I pray for this young man, but also of all who have turned their back on You and what they know about You. I’ve also tried to go against Your will and paid the price. I know the heartache and suffering such foolishness brings. You want us to be joyful and the pathway to joy includes obedience. Yet as history proves, obedience is possible only to those who rely completely on You. We cannot save ourselves. I cannot even pray without Your grace. Grant that great grace to me today.