The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1958-01-23

--Ephesians IL
We notice that Paul wrote this |
letter to specific group of
people-''the saints which are
at Ephesus". 1t was intended for |
the saints of hat city. (He ad
dressed all Of his letters to the
saints).
The word saint" comes from
the same root Tin the Creek as
does holly" and "sanctify." 1t
has the meaning of being
separated for the service of God.
IN he New Testament it is used
n reference to those who
acknowledged Jesus Christ as
their Lord and Saviour, those
who had come under the convict
ing power of the Holy Spirit and
had yielded their lives and wills
to Jesus Christ. Their lives were
tos be used for the glory and
praise of God in Jesus Christ.
They had experienced thai rel
7tionship to God whereby they
realized that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have Of God,
and We are not your own" q Cor
'nthians 6:19). So they presented
heir bodies as a living sacri-
ice, holy, acceptable un'o God
Romans 12:D. Thus, in Jesus
christ, they were separated
unto God. They became Gods
property, for Gods service.
Down through the years all who
have followed the New Te2ta-
"nent pattern, confessing Jesus
Christ as Lord, have been
znoWn as the saints of God.
From Romans II and Cor
in'hians 1:2, we learn that in
| diViduals are called to be
saints" The word "called" has
he meaning of being invited. AS
used in several passages of the
New Testament, it refers to the
''invitation (by God in the pro-
clamati0n of the GospeD 20
obtain eternal salvation in the
kingdom of God through Christ"
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus told
a parable Of the king who plan
ned a wedding feast for his son.
Many were invited to he feast,
but when the appointed hour
arrived the invited guests re-
fused to attend. The result was
that they incurred the wings
wrath and judgment. The king,
then, sent his servants to bring
in whom they could find on the
highways. Many came and he
furnished the necessary gar
ments for such an occasion. But
one refused to pu+ on the clothes
provided. So he was expelled
from the feast. He had insulted
the king and his son. He, too,
experienced the kings wrath
and judgment. So Jesus said,
MANY are called, but few are
chosen"
In the preaching of the GOSPEL
of Jesus Christ. God is extend
ing an invita- ion to adj who
hear to become His own, to let
Him become their Lord. The in
vitation is to whatsoever" (John
1:I2; 3:16, SO; Romans 10:9-13}.
1t is a privilege to become
saint of God. Thie privilege also
means responsibility. Paul, in
the fourth chapter of his le ter
to the Epresians, eXhorts the
saints to walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are
called" There is certain way
Of life "as becometh sain's'
(Romans 16:2; Ephesians ST.
. 6:18).
If one ic to live as unto God
I he must be instructed and prop
erly equipped That means
: availing ones self of every op-
p0rtunity to learn. God has pro,
vided such an opportunity by
Giving evangelists and teaching,
pastors % the church. So, if one
: is to be instructed, he must
faithfully attend services where
the Word of God is faithfully
= expounded and to seek the coun,
sci of the pastor.
The Christian should be con
scious a all times of the fact
:; that he is a saint Of God anc
walk and talk as such. He shoulc
: also desire to improve himself
l md to demonstrate it before
|. others. This is what Peter mean
Z when he exhorted his readers
to give all diligence % make
vOur calling ard election sure
y III Peter l:l0).