Steven Garofalo
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FOUR PREREQUISITES FOR US AS GOD’S ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
By Steven Garofalo, November 8, 2023 (Copyright Steven Garofalo 2023)
November 08, 2023

God says through Peter says in 1 Peter 2:9,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9). What does this mean?

To help us better understand what Peter is saying, let’s look at verse 10 which goes on to say, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).

What does it mean that Christians are “the royal priesthood?” To be clear, the church possess blessings similar to those Israel had, though it has not become the “new Israel”. It does not  per se mean “identity” equal with Israel, but as God’s priesthood along side the Jewish people but as different. We need to zoom out at what is going on in chapter to do better understand what Peter is saying, so let’s take a short stroll through the basics of what exactly is going on in 1 Peter chapter 2. I will do this for us in four simple points:

  1. FIRST: In order to be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must stop inward fighting and turn our unified attention to the battle in front of us. Peter opens chapter one by addressing the sinfulness within the church because as a royal priesthood, that has to be corrected before one can rightfully execute the office of royal priesthood. Peter tells believers to put away all malice, and all deceit, and hypocrisy, envy and slander. Simply put, they were to grow up and stop worrying about themselves and focus on their character and the mission God called them too. As a result, the inward focus would and will melt away. We cannot be God’s royal priesthood if we don’t act like it.
  2. SECOND: In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must understand who the enemy is who he is not (other Christians). Furthermore. Peter makes clear that God is laying a cornerstone (Jesus Christ) in Zion and that cornerstone is “a stone of stumbling” and “A ROCK OF OFFENSE” for those who do not believe. (VSS 6-8). In other words, after we as the body of Christ stop our slandering, envying one another etc. we will notice, like we see today, that when we are doing our job as part of the God’s royal priesthood, that we are actually “a rock of offense” to the world more so than to one another. Think about that. Christianity is in crisis for no other reason other than we have focussed on ourselves, our comfort, recreation and bickering against one another. Once we fix this, we can unite against one enemy with the power and Word of God. That’s number two.
  3. THIRD: In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must understand what we are supposed to be doing in terms of how we are to live out our life for Christ in mission. The royal priesthood is not only to evangelize and defend the orthodox Word of God-but also to raise godly families and be good husbands and wives-and notably, to make disciples of the nations (Great Commission in Matthew 28). It means to execute the mission God has given each one of us. If we do this we will be so busy that we have no time for malice, selfish deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. Furthermore, when fighting the real enemy, we cannot take our eye off the ball (the enemy) and onto one another. Let’s remember that as part of the authentic priesthood of God, we are “a stone of stumbling” and “A ROCK OF OFFENSE” for those who do not believe. (VSS 6-8). As such, they (the world) is against us. Because the world is against us, we don’t have  any time to bicker with and go after one another. We only have time to unite, get right and fight the good fight.
  4. FORTH AND Lastly:  In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must respond to the world rightly in God’s way and not our own. Verse 12 says that as part of the royal priesthood, that we are to, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glory God on the day of visitation” (vs.12). “Having your conduct honorable” means the actual behavior of Christians (vs.11), responding with right actions is crucial as we live in the current world as outsiders and our “witness” for Christ depends on our words and actions. None of us are perfect, but we are to work hard on making our words and actions rightly in line with God’s Word. Peter says that we are to do all of this in light of “The day of visitation”. What is this day? This most likely refers the final day of judgment when all people, believers and unbelievers alike, will fall on their knees and acknowledge who Jesus Chris is, what He did for all mankind who would trust in on the Cross. And then. what He has done through His people-including you and I.

IN SUMMARY: FIRST: In order to be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must stop inward fighting and turn our unified attention to the battle in front of us. SECOND: In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must understand who the enemy is who he is not (other Christians). THIRD: In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must understand what we are supposed to be doing in terms of how we are to live out our life for Christ in mission. And FORTH AND lastly:  In order for us to live out and be God’s authentic and effective royal priesthood, we must respond to the world rightly in God’s way and not our own.

Remaining true to God implies exhibiting a life that constantly and consistently does what is a rightful in God’s eyes in our living our life submissive to God in light of others for the sake of God. Remaining true to God will involve some suffering for Him. It also entails our demonstrating the same attitude that Jesus maintained when He suffered in His earthly ministry (Romans 8:17; Phil. 1:29). If the body of Christ will avoid the slander, infighting and back-biting within the church, we can unify against the true enemy and be more effective in helping others come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Lastly, it’s also our witness to the lost world of gentiles and lost Jews (non-believers). And this is our job as part of God’s royal priesthood.

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When I was in seminary, the question was raised as to if pets or animals in general go to heaven. Our professor, Dr. Norman Geisler said this: “Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross for the human race, not animals.” I was working out at the gym one day when one of the regulars, who had just moved to Charlotte, NC from California told me that one of her beloved dogs died; and would that dog go to heaven. I have her the same answer. But, was that the whole story? That’s what we are going to look at today.

In a peace by Michael Housman, Founder of GotQuestions.Org, Housman wrote that “The BIble does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets or animals in general have souls, or spirits, or whether pets and other animals will be in heaven.

His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

If pets and other animals do have a “soul” (or spirit or immaterial aspect), it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pets and other animal “souls”  do not continue in existence after death.

Another factor to consider regarding whether pets will be in heaven is that animals are a port of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the NEW EARTH as described in (Revelation 21:1). 

In the end, there will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitely whether some animals of these animals might be the pets we had here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever that turns out to be.

So, there you have it. I think that’s the best answer on the subject in all honest. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and check out StevenGarofalo.Com for exclusive content and early release of our two weekly podcast.

Until next time, I’m your host Steven Garofalo, and this is your reason for truth for today.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
By Steven Garofalo, May 2, 2025

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ECONOMY

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

WHAT DO PROTESTANTS BELIEVE?

A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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