Thursday, June 26, 2014

Romans 1:7

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely
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.