Hallowe'en night - All Hallow's Eve - the evening before All Saints Day. When we hear the word saints we normally think of stained glass window pious-looking types; or super-holy special people with their own Day. We would never think of ourselves as saints - although perhaps someone who is very good might be called a saint.
It's quite a surprise then to read how Paul describes the recipients of his letter to the Romans. Thus far, you might remember, we've seen how Paul has described himself and his gospel, and now he applies it to his hearers:
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)
The Roman Christians are among those in all the nations who are called for the obedience of faith. In these two verses, Paul writes it in two ways - they are called to belong to Jesus Christ, and they are called to be saints. To be a saint, therefore, is to belong to Jesus Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.
So on this All Saints Eve, let's remember that saints aren't a small bunch of dead people, but that you and I are biblical saints, as we trust in Jesus and belong to him.
Saint Gary
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