With a Subtitle: Every believer is chosen as a royal priest, sent to represent Jesus to the world.
A brief Excerpt: God does not only redeem us; He appoints us. Scripture calls every believer a chosen priest and ambassador, sent to represent Jesus to a watching world and lead others into His light.
Editor’s note – We often treat salvation as the finish line. Randy DeVaul, a pastor and first-responder chaplain, reminds us it is the starting gate. We run this piece because the identity it describes – chosen, royal, priestly – is an assignment to take up, not just a title to admire.
Chosen as a Royal Priesthood
Every believer carries a divine calling that reaches beyond salvation itself. God not only redeems us. He appoints us. Scripture reminds us that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9). That identity defines our purpose: to represent Jesus to a world still searching for light.
Peter describes believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ (1 Peter 2:5). This image connects beautifully with Paul’s teaching that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Because God dwells within us, our lives become places of worship, service, and witness.
Sent to Represent Jesus to the World
To be chosen means to be set apart for a purpose. Whether one emphasizes divine election or personal response, Scripture makes clear that believers are chosen to carry out the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We are not chosen for privilege but for participation, those who are called to bring others to Jesus. As members of God’s royal priesthood, we belong to His kingdom, purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28), adopted as His children, and made joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Our priestly calling carries responsibility. In the Old Testament, priests served at the will of the King, represented God before the people, taught His Word, led worship, and interceded on behalf of others. Today, those same principles apply spiritually. We serve at God’s will, represent Jesus to the world, teach His truth, lead others into worship, and pray for those in need. Jesus Himself is now our High Priest (Hebrews 6:20), granting us direct access to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
As His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are empowered to speak boldly, to make disciples, and to teach others to obey all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). We encourage and equip the Body of Christ for worship and service (Ephesians 4:11-16). Through prayer and intercession, we lift others before God, trusting that our petitions rise like incense before His throne (Revelation 8:3-4).
Editor’s note – An ambassador represents another’s interests, not his own, and speaks with borrowed authority. The question is not whether we hold the office, but whether a watching world would recognize whose kingdom we serve.
A Calling That Demands Consecration
Yet this calling demands consecration. God requires His priests to be holy, cleansed, and devoted. Though believers are not sinless, we are seen through the righteousness of Christ, declared justified (Romans 5:1) and freed from condemnation (Romans 8:1). Still, we are commanded to live set apart, holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and putting off the old nature (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Consecration today means living intentionally: renewing the mind (Romans 12:2), thinking on what is pure and good (Philippians 4:8), rejoicing in God’s goodness (Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 4:4), meditating on His Word (Psalm 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:16), praying continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and gathering with other believers for worship and encouragement (Hebrews 10:25).
Editor’s note – Consecration can sound severe until the author reframes it: renewing the mind, dwelling on what is good, gathering with the saints. Not grim withdrawal, but a life pointed deliberately toward God.
Live Boldly, Serve Faithfully
When we live consecrated lives, we reflect the holiness of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We become visible witnesses of His grace as chosen, cleansed, and commissioned.
Believer, you are valued and chosen by God to represent Jesus. You belong to Him, bought with His blood, empowered by His Spirit, and entrusted with His message. Live boldly, serve faithfully, and let your life declare His praises. For this is your purpose: to represent the King and to lead others into His light.
A Word from the Editor
If you belong to Christ, this calling is already yours; the question is whether you will live as though it were true. Represent the King today, and let someone near you glimpse His light.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.