Commentary on "Paul and Rome"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 5: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Called to Be "Saints"

 

Overview

In today’s lesson our theme is THE CALLED SAINTS of Rome. As mentioned earlier, the word ‘called’ is an adjective not a verb. That is, God declares that the saints are ‘called saints’. We see Paul’s use of this word in the introduction in verses 1, 6 and 7. Since the redeemed Body of Christ is one of the major themes of Romans, Paul expands our understanding of who the ‘called saints’ are in chapter eight.

 

Observations

Here are Paul’s key statements on ‘called saints’ with significant points underlined:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Rom. 8:28-30 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:3-14 ESV)

 

Summary

1. God chose us before the foundation of the world. In other words, God’s plan for our redemption was planned before sin made salvation the central need of our lives.
2. The title for today’s lesson should have the words ‘to be’ removed if it gives you the idea that this is a future action of God. We were foreknown and called ‘called saints’ by God before the foundation of the world. That is, before creation and certainly before sin entered into the history of the human race.
3. When we hear and believe the gospel message we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. The bible contradicts at least two Adventist doctrines. The Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation, not the keeping of the Sabbath as a day of rest. We were foreknown and called saints before the foundation of the world which was long before the concept of the supposed Investigative Judgment. Go back and read all of Romans chapter eight and rejoice in knowing you have eternal life now. If Jesus isn’t the center of your life, confess him now and rejoice in knowing you were CALLED OF GOD long before you were born.
4. Only those who respond to the gospel message are called ‘called saints’.

 

GO TO DAY 6

 

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