Feb. 25

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

SET APART

   "Ye shall be named the priests of the Lord" Isa. 61:6

   This literal promise to Israel belongs spiritually to the seed after
   the Spirit, namely, to all believers. If we live up to our privileges,
   we shall live unto God so clearly and distinctly, that men shall see
   that we are set apart for holy service, and shall name us the priests
   of the Lord. We may work, or trade, as others do, and yet we may be
   solely and wholly the ministering servants of God. Our one occupation
   shall be to present the perpetual sacrifice of prayer, and praise, and
   testimony, and self-consecration, to the living God by Jesus Christ.

   This being our one aim, we may leave distracting concerns to those who
   have no higher calling. "Let the dead bury their dead." It is written,
   "Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien
   shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers." They may manage
   politics, puzzle out financial problems, discuss science, and settle
   the last new quibbles of criticism; but we will give ourselves unto
   such service as becomes those who, like the Lord Jesus, are ordained to
   a perpetual priesthood.

   Accepting this honorable promise as involving a sacred duty, let us put
   on the vestments of holiness, and minister before the Lord all day
   long.