From the Pastor's Desk . . . .
Sanctified to Serve
“…including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6-7)
On November 1st, All Saints Day is observed in some congregations. The occasion raises the question of who a saint is. We restrict the meaning too much when we refer the term only to such dead Christians who once led exceptionally holy lives and performed miracles.
The Bible speaks of all Christians as sanctified people, as saints. St. Paul, for example, addresses the Corinthians as follows: “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1 Cor. 1:2). Christians are saints despite the fact that they are still sinners. They are saints—from the Latin word sanctus, which means holy, sanctified, consecrated—not because they are sinless but because by faith in Jesus Christ all their sins are forgiven and God declares them just and holy in His sight. They are sanctified, born again, regenerated, enlightened, and lead a new life in Christ. “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” St. Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
St. Paul also urges those who are declared holy by faith to serve God with holy works in their everyday lives, not to be saved by them but to express their thanks to God. Where God’s sanctified people serve and where the saints go marching in, there darkness turns to light. The apostle tells the Ephesians (5:8), “You were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Because God the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with His gifts, and given us faith, we too are saints.
By Pastor Edwards
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