A Royal Priesthood

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are not the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2: 9 - 10 NKJV

Like many people, I've often suffered from the gloom of self doubt and a poor self image.  Somehow, I became a slave to the belief that if I were not a certain personality, have money or obtain a healthy weight that I was one to be scorned.  The worst part of this lie was that I believed that it was indeed somehow all of my fault.  Yes, the lack of money, influence, genetics and health was all part of my sins I had commited.  Unfortunately, along with this self doubt came a realization, however false it may have been, that God could never be in the presence of a sinner such as myself.  And so the vicious cycle continued.  Of course, this flew right in the face of what Christ Jesus has already accomplished for us.  The fact that, as christians, we are often given two competing messages concerning our very salvation makes this spiral a hard thing to overcome.  For from the pulpits we often hear that we are but sinners saved by grace and are reminded of our constant need of our Lords forgiveness.  While t is true that we who have known Christ Jesus indeed once walked as the others who are in the world do, the truth is that we no longer share this heritage with those who have not accepted Christ.  We are now part of another family, a royal lineage through Christ Jesus.  It is important to realize that the gift which Jesus provided for us at the cross was not only one of forgiveness of sin, but of a new life in Him as well.  For through Christ we no longer come before our heavenly Father as sinners, but as children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3: 1 - 2 NKJV

Indeed, if we were to come before our Lord seeking forgiveness for our sins, our heavenly Father would surely say, "What sin, my child?" For what sin of ours is there which Christ Jesus has not forgiven us at the cross?  Indeed, Christ took our sin upon Himself when He was nailed to the cross {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Of course, that means ALL sin, not just some.  So, whichever pulpit pounder may tell us that we are lost because God cannot be in the presence of sin, we can proudly say to him, "Sir, my Lords presence is already within me!" {Galations 2:20}  As the scripture tells us, "What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!"  And not just children, but heirs as well.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8: 14 - 17 NKJV

What feeling of unworthiness can survive once we know the truth of our lineage with Christ Jesus?  For we are no longer in the world, but in Christ.  And Christ is indeed worthy!

~Scott~