HEART OF A PRIEST

Part Two

“But when he (King Uzziah) was strong, his heart was lifted up to his
destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went
into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of
the LORD, that were VALIANT MEN: And they withstood Uzziah the king,
and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense
unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated
to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed;
neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God”
2 Chronicles 26:16 – 18

True priests have only one responsibility and that is to represent the Lord and His purposes and to serve Him with their whole heart. Here we have the story of the King of Israel, a good King until his heart became lifted up, who sought to do things that did not pertain to his calling. Azariah and his fellow priests were men of valour who were not impressed by the fact that this man was a King for they served the King of Kings. True priests do not serve organizations, fellowships, ministries or causes; they serve only their God and King.

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ”
Romans 1:1

People with divided interests cannot be true priests. Where there are other agendas there is no longer a single eye. We are to be His. We are not here to support causes nor a teaching or some other “worthy” ideal but to serve Him and His purposes only. Everything must be subservient to the WILL of God. HIS WILL must transcend relationships, “callings” and ministries for in the end we are to minister to HIM ALONE. Out of this singleness of purpose we will discover that in serving HIM we begin to see and understand HIS call and purpose in the lives of others. We are then to serve and facilitate that call in their lives, to nurture and mentor in such a way as to see that “call” of God realized in their life. We must ever stand for truth and the investment of God and never allow personal sentiment to cloud our ability to remain objective in the things of God. These are HIS people, HIS disciples and it is HIS life that has been and is being invested. We are to be merely stewards (not lords) of the Grace of God concerning His people, the sheep of His pasture. All of Paul’s dealings with the Church in various localities were to see them grow up into HIM who is the Head of all things.

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also
my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour”
John 12:26

Brian Troxel