Paul starts his greeting, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.1 Those who believe and are full of faith in Christ Jesus are those who have been redeemed and adopted into the family of God, chosen and called to be saints. We likewise see this reference in the Book of Acts at the healing of Aeneas, Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda;2 and at the healing of Dorcas, And he . . . raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.3
What does it mean to be a saint? The English word saint comes from the Latin sanctus.4 And is derived from a Greek verb hagiazo, which basically means to set apart, make holy, or sanctify. In the Old Testament, the idea of holiness or separateness was inherent in the concept of God. God was unapproachable in the tabernacle or temple, accessible only to the priests and only under carefully specified conditions.5
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.6 It is not our doing to be saints; as the Father’s children we are called to be saints by grace. It is important to understand who we are in Christ. For what we are, we do. What we do, we become. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.7
We are called to be saints and shall be transformed to be holy through our progressive acts of righteousness. Still it is God who initiates the transformation through his Word and by means of sanctification. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.8
Our knowledge of God and our covenant relationship with God provides us the fear of God that motivates us to avoid evil.9 During the time that Potiphar’s wife was enticing Joseph, he declared, How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?10
We start our journey in Christ by grace, persevere in our walk, and benefit from a life of peace. The result of grace is peace. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.11
Notes:
1. Ephesians 1:1
2. Acts 9:32
3. Acts 9:41
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint
5. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/saints
6. Ephesians 1:2
7. 1 Peter 2:9-10
8. Philippians 1:6
9. Proverbs 8:13
10. Genesis 39:9
11. Ephesians 1:2
