Sunday, November 23, 2014

The Qualifications and Blessings of Priesthood ------- Prt 2

   Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. A priest must have a clean heart to approach the presence of God and so that we can enlighten sinners with the Gospel. David prayed in (Psalms 51:10-13 NKJV)  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. {13} Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
      A priest must have a clean heart to get revelations from God and about God. Holiness allows us to see God. (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)  Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
      Having a clean heart before God gives us confidence and faith to receive the promises of God from His Word. (1 John 3:21-23 NKJV)  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. {22} And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. {23} And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
      Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. A peacemaker is one who reconciles people. A priest is a peacemaker that reconciles people to God. The Bible says that when we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ then we are given the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. {18} Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, {19} that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. {20} Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. {21} For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
     As priests we also pursue peace between people. (Romans 14:17-19 NIV) For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, {18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. {19} Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
      We are to use our God given authority in Jesus name, and our access into the throne room, to bring the Holy Spirit into every relationship that we are concerned about, man to man, and man to God relationships. (Colossians 3:12-15 NIV)  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. {13} Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. {14} And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. {15} Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
      When we bring the Spirit of compassion, the Holy Spirit, into a situation then we also bring all the fruits of the Holy Spirit to the people also. (Galatians 5:22-25 NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. {24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. {25} Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Compassion contains all of the fruits of the Spirit.
      Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV)  "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
      Persecution is how you know that you have arrived into the Kingdom. (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV)  Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. The good news is (Psalms 34:19 NKJV)  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

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