Called Saints

"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-7, emphasis added)

The apostle Paul begins his glorious letter to the Romans by addressing those who will hear his letter as those "who are beloved of God in Rome, called saints" (Romans 1:7, emphasis added). And why not? For that's what we are in Christ Jesus. The King James Version, the Amplified Bible, the New International Version and other various versions are more timid and translate it as "called to be saints" but this is inaccurate. The Greek reads, ". . . to all the being in Rome beloved of God, called holy. . . ." The perception is significant. We are so sin-conscious that we find it difficult to see ourselves presently as saints and think that this will happen to us sometime in the future. We fail to grasp the fact that when we are in Christ (and God has put us there, 1 Cor. 1:30) He in His own presence is our sanctification. Not seeing ourselves as such is dishonoring to our Head who has made us complete in Himself (Col. 2:10). To believe this is the "obedience of faith." When we fail to see ourselves in this union and think of ourselves otherwise we will inevitably view ourselves as anemic and impotent. We are so sin-conscious that the Lord Jesus can't find the fullness of His expression through us.

Our meetings will resemble one that Phoebe Palmer describes in her book, The Promise of the Father:

"As characteristic of the tone of piety in not a few of the brethren who took a leading part in the meetings, we might instance the manner of some of these prayers. We will refer to one not very unlike some others to which we listened, and leave the reader to judge. It was worded about thus: 'Lord, grant that if the question were asked here this morning, as was asked in the days of thine incarnation, Who shall betray the Master? that each brother may feel like saying, "Lord, it is I, it is I!"' How much more was this like Peter, when following the Saviour afar off, or in fact like Judas, than like Peter after the day of Pentecost."

How different is the triumphant tone of the modern hymn by Stuart Townend:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! -- Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied--
For every sin on Him was laid:
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground, His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!

As He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!