Christians are seeking the freedom that is promised in scripture but even as it extends its olive branch it remains elusive to most. If the believing priesthood (where all, not just a few, are considered worthy) is real then the obvious next question is – how? How would it function? I think it is best if it is illustrated in anecdotal form.
A woman in our group told the story of her experience with the Lord one night. She felt Him so strongly that it caused her to awake from her sleep. The pressing message from the Lord was that she become involved with a young girl that needed refuge from a tumultuous home situation. She recounted the experience to the group and even though this was not a topic anyone expected to talk about that Sunday every member (functioning as a priest as described in the New Testament) responded with a willingness to help (either logistically or through encouragement or financial) her family deal with the extraordinary responsibility. This is Jesus leading His church. The Holy Spirit spoke and Christians listened and responded.
Within this interaction one finds the freedom that is promised (1Corinthians 12) in that every member has the freedom to express themselves as the Holy Spirit intended. In this way a fresh revelation of Christ is manifested within the body revealing His will to lead His church.
This is the liberty the Sent Messenger (Apostle/Missionary) Paul wrote of when he chided the group in Galatia who had-out of fear-given up their liberty to follow after religious approval of some who claimed authority from the Temple in Jerusalem. Almost as if they had fallen under a spell, they became like automatons instead of behaving like princes or princesses, children of divine royalty.
Today, liberty can be lost to institutionalization-following the Corporate model of the society around us, instead of behaving like the family of God.
This same Sent Messenger of a young girl’s message seems to penetrate our hearts longer than one Sunday Afternoon. One shares a story which is Freedom flowing through the hearts of those hearing it. What can we learn from this young girl we do not even know? My cousin Greg Patrick Ryan has written the statement: “Words don’t teach, Experiences do.” Many messages are sent by the Messenger to speak into other parts of our lives, and healing begins to take place. The Holy Spirit has chosen to live inside our hearts, how great is that! A message sent to one, received by many just inspires and adds to all our hearts. It’s part of the journey God gives us for peace.