Holy Ones

When we speak of the saints in the Church, of whom are we speaking?

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. - Ephesians 1:11-23

When I was growing up, the saints referred to those who had suffered and died for Christ, but for Paul, the saints are the holy ones, which includes all who have come to believe in Christ, living and dead.

We are all saints, then, not just those who were persecuted, tortured and martyred, having left evidence of miraculous cures in their wake.

Paul is calling the people of Ephesus to join the holy ones, to become believers and be among the saints.

It is the same call we all have to follow Jesus.

True, many of us became members of the fold before we could make up our own minds about it, having been baptized at an early age, but that doesn't mean we cannot choose now.

We can always choose to follow Christ.  That is why He came, to find those of us who are searching and lost and call them back to Him.

So, on this day when we celebrate the Saints, the Holy Ones of God, we can rest assured that there is a place for us among them.

All we need to do is step up and take it.

More to come...