3. Cleansed…
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
Therefore, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God
2 Corinthians 7:1
Queen Elizabeth 2nd was the longest reigning queen in English history having taken up the mantle in 1953 when she was a mere 27 years old. Becoming queen was something she was born to, was set apart for from birth. She was chosen for the role just as you and I have been chosen by God to be part of his royal priesthood.
We are different, we are set apart for a life of dancing with God in the royal dance. Just like the kings and queens of England were appointed and anointed to serve their country so we have been appointed and anointed to serve our God. And just as Queen Elizabeth had years of preparation for the role she was to occupy for over 60 years we need to prepare ourselves for our role as part of the royal priesthood.
A would-be ballet dancer spends hours each day exercising, practising their routines. They eat special diets. Their lives are consumed with the dance because they believe they have within them what it takes to be the best. And then when they have made it to the top the work continues each day – exercise, practise, diet. They need to make sure their costumes and shoes are in perfect order so they can do what is required of them.
And we must daily prepare ourselves for the dance God has destined us for. When I first became a Christian, Jesus cleansed me from my sins:
If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
1 John 1:9
He gave me new, royal robes. He prepared me for service. When I was baptised, there was a spiritual rebirth into God’s royal kingdom as a priest. But now I must daily continue to stay cleansed and ready to serve, to dance with my Jesus, guarding my heart against the ways of this world:
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4;23
God is calling you and I to lives of purity and holiness. There is much in the gospels and letters to guide us in this preparation:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned from me, or seen in me – put it into practise. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
Prayer: My desire is to dance with you around the world, but I know I need to be in good shape for the challenge. I ask that your Spirit guide me each day in making the choices that will bring me to perfection in Christ and prepare me for the dance.
Amen
Action: Today, spend some time running your daily activities through the verses from Philippians 4 above. What might you need to confess and change to prepare yourself for a Godly life? Take what you discover into your daily life for the next week and see how it changes the way you live.
Journal your thoughts…
