Romans 1:7
7 To all [pas] that be [on] in [en] Rome [Rhome], beloved [agapetos] of God [theos], called [kletos] to be
saints [hagios]: Grace [charis] to you [humin] and [kai] peace [eirene] from [apo] God [theos] our [hemon] Father [pater], and [kai] the Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos]. KJV-Interlinear
7 to all who are beloved of God
in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. NASB
One of the most misused words in Christianity is
the word, saint. Somewhere along the line
in history, a saint became incorrectly associated with someone who accomplished
great works, at least by human standards. Or, it became used as a title, that
only a select few in religious circles, could award.
The word for saint, ‘hagios,’ means one who is set
apart, holy, one who is consecrated unto God.
And all who have believed in Christ, have imputed into them, by God,
Gods righteousness and Gods justice, both of which when combined, make up
holiness.
As a Christian you are set apart from this carnal
world, and have become a part of the spiritual side of life, belonging to
God. Therefore you are a saint, also
known as a believer in Christ, also known as a Christian.
Not that you are some type of perfection, but saint
simply refers to a person who now belongs to Christ. Works, or effort, or accomplishment, have
nothing to do with sainthood. God did
all of the work, and you simply believed.
Paul addresses all the saints, or all the believers
in Christ, that are in Rome. Thus the
name of this book, Romans.
Paul is writing to and speaking to believers in
Christ.
Who have been called, ‘kletos,’ meaning invited,
appointed. God calls on all people to
believe in Christ. Only those who
believe, are the ones who answer that call, and by means of their belief, are
appointed as saints, or ones set apart unto God.
Grace means favor, and it comes from God and is
given to, and belongs only to, Christians.
Peace, ‘eirene,’ means rest, quiet, oneness. Peace is the mental result of ones
advancement to spiritual maturity.
So, grace is Gods favor and you may or may not
receive it.
Peace is the result of ones spiritual growth to
maturity, and you may or may not attain that.
Both of which depend entirely on your attitude
toward doctrine and your consistency in pursuing a daily study and utilizing
that which is learned.
Both God the Father and Jesus Christ are mentioned. The Father is the ultimate sovereign. Jesus Christ is the second person of the
Trinity, and the savior, and the means of access to the Father, and the one who
has and will inherit the ultimate authority over all.
All religions and philosophies attempt to access
the Father directly, one way or another, thus ignoring and rejecting the
pathway through Christ.
However, Christianity, likewise is set apart from
all other systems of belief, in that Christianity recognizes Jesus Christ, and
require that all access to the Father is gained only through Christ.
Christ was rejected by Satan who refused to go
through Him in order to have access to the Father.
All religions reject Christ, in their attempt to
gain access to the Father, or to nature, or to the universe, or to technology
and so forth, in their effort to attain some semblance of ascension or
perfection and so forth.
But Gods favor comes only to believers. Gods peace comes only to positive believers
who advance to, or are advancing to, spiritual maturity. And Gods favor and peace and our relationship
with God, are available only through Jesus Christ.
