Called
In the opening verses of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul three times uses the term “called.” First of all, he refers to himself as being called to be an apostle. An apostle is generally considered to be a “sent-one.” Paul was sent as an apostle to the Gentiles. However, each one of us who has been saved by His grace is sent into the world with the gospel of Christ.
Then he refers to those who are called of Jesus Christ. Sometimes the Queen calls for a command performance. How much greater honour to be called by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
As though this were not enough, in verse 7 of chapter 1, he says that the Romans were “called to be saints.” What a high and holy calling this is!
Often, we hear the expression, “Well, I’m no saint.” If you are a born-again believer, you are a saint.
This is one of the terms which applies to all believers. Saints, disciples, believers, Christians, brethren, children of God — these are all applicable to those who have taken Christ as Saviour. We need take no other name.
In some quarters, to become a saint could take up to 500 years with the process of canonization being started long after the person dies. In the biblical sense, the moment a person accepts Christ, he is born of the Holy Spirit and becomes a saint. The Holy Spirit indwells his body and he becomes the temple of the Holy Ghost.
A former heathen was asked once what to him was the greatest truth in the Bible. He replied that to him the greatest truth was that our bodies should be the temple or shrine of the Holy Ghost.
When we are tempted to sin, let us always remember that we are “called” to be saints.