I am only in the beginning stages of studying this out, but I am excited and want to present what I have as I have it.
As a believer who is called to the ministry of the Word and also called of God to interact with the world as a professional (social worker), I have thought and prayed about the spiritual ministry of the believer who is not called to full-time church ministry. I know God wants us to bring the lost “in,” but I also truly believe that we are called to minister through the work of our hands, hearts, and minds as we apply them to daily labor through employment. This gets hard to do in many professional contexts as many businesses and professions are hostile to workers sharing the Gospel openly.
I believe there is a biblical model for looking at how we minister in the workplace and in the world, and the following thoughts come together from that.
The true believers in Christ make up a priesthood that is God’s corps of grace-bringers on Earth. 1 Peter 2 is a good starting point for studying this out. Much of what Peter describes in the chapter concerning believers can be seen in the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants.
2:5- “… an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices…” Our praise to God in life and on the job is a demonstration of offering spiritual sacrifices: "…a royal priesthood… that ye should show for the praises of him…” (2:9).
2:11- “I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims…” The tribe of Levi, and the children of Aaron, had no inheritance among their brothers. They had only cities of refuge. We are that way among the lost of this world.
2:12- “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The work of the priest was an example seen by everyone. It is good and holy work that will glorify God in on the last day.
Exodus 29 describes the garments, preparation, and anointing of the priests. The priests were anointed to carry out a redemptive work- ministering the statutes of God while exhorting the people to be closer to God. Gal 6:1 calls for those who are spiritual to restore those who have stumbled in a fault. The high priest performed the atonement year after year for the sins of all the people. Christ prayed on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
This is an introduction to the priesthood of believers, and I hope will jump start some thinking on each of our parts as to how we are carrying out Christ’s work in the world today.
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