{"id":48318,"date":"2023-12-23T11:25:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T08:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48318"},"modified":"2025-05-29T17:58:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T14:58:52","slug":"how-have-we-become-priests-and-a-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/12\/23\/how-have-we-become-priests-and-a-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"How Have We Become Priests and a Kingdom?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAnd has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father\u2014to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Revelation 1:6<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The Question<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Revelation 1:6 declares that, through Jesus Christ, we have been made both a kingdom<\/strong> and priests<\/strong> to God. But how exactly does that happen? What does it mean, and what does it look like in the life of a believer?<\/p>\n

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1. Our Identity in Christ: We Share in Who He Is<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The starting point is understanding who we are in Christ<\/strong>. When someone believes in Jesus, they are united with Him spiritually. This union transforms their identity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 John 4:17<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means that believers are not just followers of Jesus; they are spiritually joined with Him<\/strong>. What is true of Him is now spiritually true of us.<\/p>\n

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2. As He Is the Son of God, So Are We<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cThe Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God\u2019s children.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Romans 8:16<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Because Jesus is the Son of God, and we are \u201cin Him,\u201d we are also called children of God<\/strong>. This shared sonship includes the privileges and responsibilities of God\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

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3. We Died and Rose With Him Spiritually<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWe were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Romans 6:4<\/strong>
\n\u201cNow if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Romans 6:8<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At salvation, believers are spiritually united with Christ\u2019s death and resurrection. This is symbolized in baptism<\/strong> and results in a new spiritual position.<\/p>\n

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4. We Are Seated With Christ in the Heavenly Realms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cAnd God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Ephesians 2:6<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This spiritual reality means we already share in His reign and authority in the spiritual realm<\/strong>. We\u2019re not waiting for some distant future to begin walking in this identity\u2014it\u2019s already true in Christ.<\/p>\n

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5. Christ Is Our High Priest\u2014And We Are Priests Under Him<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jesus occupies the role of High Priest<\/strong>, and through our union with Him, we share in His priestly ministry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Hebrews 8:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Under the Old Covenant, priests offered sacrifices<\/strong>, interceded<\/strong>, and taught God\u2019s Word<\/strong>. That didn\u2019t change\u2014it was fulfilled in Christ and extended to His people.<\/p>\n

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6. Our Role as Priests: Intercede, Teach, and Offer Spiritual Sacrifices<\/strong><\/h3>\n