ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

1 Peter 2: 9 – 17

We've all heard the story of the Franciscan initiate who was excited by the fact that even though he was new to the brotherhood, was granted the privilege to go to town and hear St. Francis bring the word of God to the populace. Through out the day Francis went from farm, to farm, to the blacksmith and even the drunks. All he said was small talk and all he did was assist the people in their labors.
Disappointed that he had not heard Francis preach, the initiate sulked all the way home. When Francis questioned the initiate and learned of his disappointment, Francis said that he had preached God's word all day long with his actions and the comfort he brought in his small talk understanding th plight of those he cam in contact with. He was living the life that God wants us to live, outlined in 2 Peter.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Are you able to say that you are living up to the example of God's word?
Remember, you may be the only Bible that other people read.