A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. A society of kingly status and birth, performing services before the King of kings. 1 Pet. 2:9 It is here that the Lord will fulfill His call to His own by finding them to be “a kingdom of priests.†Not just a few select individuals, but all ministering, unto the Lord, in the office of a priest. Ex. 19:6 They have achieved this high and holy responsibility by adhering to the royal law, for this is the spirit and motivation of those who fulfill the responsibilities of this divine designation. James 2:8 They are regal in their bearing, in their attitude, in their associations, and most certainly they wear the royal robes of the righteousness that is in Christ. Having put on that NEW MAN which the Lord has created, in Christ Jesus. Now wearing the robe most befitting and significance of the rank bestowed upon them, righteousness and truth. Eph. 4:24 On Aaron, the garments were for glory and for beauty. Ex. 28:2 How much more glorious and beautiful is the New Testament priesthood to which we have been called. We are granted a glimpse of these gorgeous robes on the Mount of Transfiguration. Mt. 2:17, Mk. 9:2 When His robes became radiant and dazzling white, glistering and exceeding white a beauty and majesty that beggars description.
THE ROBE OF THAT ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. The sun clothed woman, the Bride of Christ is presented in the majestic completeness of her wedding garment in Rev. 12:1 The greatest example and expression of the glory of the Lord in its totality is the LIGHT of the SUN. Both of which are typical of the being and nature of the Lord. For the Lord God is a sun. Ps. 84:11 God is light. 1 Jn. 1:5 While God is neither the sun nor is He the light, The shining forth of both originate from Him. He is a greater manifestation of glory than the sun which lights our galaxy. All light emanates from Him. Both of these most necessary elements of nature are what they are because the Lord is their source of energy. No God, no sun, no light, no life. Nothing can exist outside of Him. Our very being or existence is totally and completely dependent on Him. Life is in Him, all animal life, including that of mankind. Life is in Him, for He is LIFE, natural and spiritual, now and for eternity. Acts 17:28 This is why we must seek to put on that new self, the new man. Allowing the washing of the water of the Word to change and alter the old man. Elevating him to a sincere knowledge of Jesus Christ. Being turned into an exact and perfect image and likeness of the One who created Him. The ultimate aim and goal of the Lord is to have a people who are perfectly like Himself. Not clones, but individuals who have been privileged to be formed into His likeness and being. Col. 3:10 Instructions to the elect or chosen of God who are called to wear these high priestly robes are given in the ensuing verses of Col. 3: verses 12 through 17. Practices, which are conducive and most fitting for those who would amount to anything at all, in the body of Christ. These are teachings given to bring us to where we gain the perfection that is in Christ. Dare we ignore them? The blessing of the Lord is found in the performance of them in our lives.
CALLED OUT. Called to be separated from the works of darkness. Which is representative of all manner of sin and unrighteousness. It even involves the darkness of religious blindness, which is the extremity of spiritual ignorance. The eye, the gate to the inner man, fogged up with all type of evil thoughts and desires. If that light (religious doctrine), is contrary to the true light, of what great magnitude is that darkness. Mt. 6:23 The calling out, which is profitable and beneficial, is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul looked upon it as the PRIZE and thought it to be more than worthwhile to press toward, to reach forward to in a very diligent manner. Paul, is an excellent example of what every Christian is to be. He was consistently and unrelenting in his searching after Christ. Phil. 3:14