HEART OF A PRIEST
Part Three
“And they shall teach my people
the difference between the holy and profane,
and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean”
Ezekiel 44:22
In this day of obscurity and confusion there is to be a priestly people who rise up and so present Christ that it produces an ability within the people of God to easily see the difference between the holy and profane and to discern between the unclean and the clean. This ability to discern between good and evil is contingent upon the heart of each believer becoming free from personal agendas and secret motives. It is in the ministration of the living word, sharp to the very piercing of our inner hearts, that we are made free to see and hear clearly the issues that stand before us.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”
Hebrew 4:12
There is a need for men and women who have not circumvented this crucial work of the Lord. These people desire and seek the face of God to be purified from things that would taint His gracious expression of Life through them. In the very refining of our own hearts we are enabled to encourage and exhort others to endure His refining work because of our own experience. When one teaches without the experience of the dealings of God it can only produce a cold and indifferent expression; one that has no ability to impart the wisdom or consolation of the mercies of God. Mercy is given to the merciful, grace is given to the gracious and faith is given to those that are faithful.
In the New Testament priests are made, not born (Revelation 1:6). Priests become priestly by the ministration of God’s goodness and grace. It is His goodness that leads us to repentance, His truth that causes us to see ourselves as we really are, and His mercy that holds us in the seeing of such things.
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:
and he shall purify the sons of Levi,
and purge them as gold and silver, that they may
offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness”
Malachi 3:3
“Then shall ye return, and discern
between the righteous and the wicked,
between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”
Malachi 3:18
Brian Troxel
