The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Three Separations of the Royal Priesthood, #8

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (I Corinthians 1:2)

It is quite different with the person who has been called to be a saint. The issue with him is not merely righteousness of behavior, although God will punish the unrighteous whether or not he or she is called to be a saint.

The issue with him who has been called to be a saint is that of abiding in Christ. He has been called to be a member of the royal priesthood. His death and resurrection take place as part of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He has been called to dwell in Heaven at the right hand of God.

The calling of the saint is not to die and go to live in a luxurious home in Paradise. The calling of the saint is to be a part of Christ, a member of the royal priesthood, a pillar in the eternal Temple of God. He is part of the golden Lampstand of God and is being "hammered into shape" by the Spirit of God.

The Christian saint (holy one) is being prepared to be revealed to the creation and to release the creation. He is the hope of the nations of the earth that they may come to know God. He is the judge of men and angels. If he neglects his calling, which is the highest of all callings, he will experience the wrath of God (Hebrews 2:3).

As soon as the full number of Gentiles who have been called to be a part of Christ have been made a part of the one true olive tree, God will turn once again to the physical Jews, bringing them also into the same Tree, which is Christ. Then it will be time for the nations of the earth to be judged, some entering eternal life and some being led away to the fires of Gehenna. This is what the Scriptures teach (Matthew 25:46).

He who has been called to be a member of the royal priesthood (and it is the formation of the royal priesthood, the Body of Christ, that is the purpose of the Christian Era) is not to consider himself a member of the world. He has no other calling than that of saint. His profession or occupation is only for the purpose of supplying his needs and the needs of others. He has been called to be a holy one. If he gives himself diligently to his calling he will pass into the ranks of the chosen. The royal priesthood is a heavenly calling, established from before the creation of the world.

To be continued.