Called To Be Saints

JANUARY 15, 2023 STUDY NOTES ROMANS 1:6-7 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES CALLED TO BE SAINTS INTRODUCTION Theologians need not argue over the question of who are the called, who are the elect? If you hear God’s call through the gospel to be saved, you are being “called” If you accept the call of salvation by faith in Christ, you are among the “elect” All of which is not Biblical truth to be argued, but truth to be believed and proclaimed to the lost The good news of salvation is that it is a “whosoever” gospel, Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (“Whosoever” answers the question of “Why Me Lord?) To be “saved” means that you (even you) now belong to Christ WE BELONG TO CHRIST--Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: “Among whom” refers to the Romans and the Gentiles referred to in the previous verse, Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, (Gentiles) for his name: The saints at Rome were among “the called” just as the Gentiles were, Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Paul’s point is, even you Romans, even you Gentiles, have received an invitation from God to be saved Which tells us that even you, and even I, have received an invitation from God All sinners have been “called” by God through the Gospel unto salvation, Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (God is inviting every sinner to come to Christ through the Gospel) “The called” are those who have been invited into a personal relationship with God, 2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. “The called” are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (The lost are saved when they accept the call of the gospel) All who are saved are the evidence of God’s Wisdom, 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (Salvation is of God) Theologians will debate the subjects of predestination, calling, and election until Jesus returns All questions concerning those subjects will not be answered until Jesus returns But the results of each subject can be believed, received, and lived today without full understanding Just believe and receive the grace of God, accept the present purpose and eternal plan of God by faith, Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Because it is not of man, man cannot fully explain it, but we can believe it, Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. The purpose of God’s plan of salvation is clear and plain, Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Through salvation we belong to Christ and Christ has a present life for us to live, which is our “walk” The point is strong, the point is clear, God has a purpose for our “New Life,” Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called It is clearly presented what God has done in order that we might do what God wants us to do God planned for us to walk in good works and God’s plan will work through faith and obedience Remember that our good works are what God had planned for us when He gave us a “New Life” Page 1 of 4 Beforehand, in advance, prearranged in eternity past was the “Purpose of a New Life in Christ” God saved us and gave us a “Life to Live,” it is the life that only a Christian can live Upon hearing God’s call to salvation, a person can either accept or reject God’s calling No sinner is almost saved, you are either saved or lost, you are either dead in sin or alive in Christ The “called” are the ones who have heard the “Good News” and responded by faith in God’s call The one who hears God call unto forgiveness of sin, believes it, and receives it, is a Christian The Christian is the one who responds by faith to God’s promise of salvation, Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (All of God through Jesus, received and experienced by faith) The Christian is then called to a life of obedience to the will and the Word of God, Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (To love God is to live for God regardless of what we face in life) We do not face life alone, we are called to fellowship with God, Christ, and the family of God, 1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. The Christian is accountable before God for their response to God’s calling (Good works) The Christian will be called before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account of their works, 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Christians are the “called” of Jesus Christ and identified as “saints” WE ARE CALLED SAINTS--Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was eager to preach to Rome, Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Today we must be eager to preach the Gospel to our community and to our world Because Paul preached the Gospel in Rome there were those called the “beloved of God’ The “beloved of God” are those who accepted the gospel that Paul preached God loves all lost sinners, but lost sinners who are spiritually dead are never called “Beloved of God” The world is loved by God but only the saints are called the “Beloved of God” Those who have personally received the love of God are “God’s loved ones” A love relationship that cannot be fully explained but can be experienced by those who love God, Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (The experience) How meaningful are the words “Beloved of God?” They were meaningful to Jesus They were meaningful at the time of the baptism of Jesus, Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. They were meaningful at the time of the “Transfiguration of Jesus,” Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. As Christians we must realize how meaningful those words should be to us today “Beloved of God” identifies the unique relationship of those “called to be saints” The world calls good people who do good things for others a saint because of their goodness But according to scripture you do not became a saint through good works (Ephesians 2:9) “Saints” are sinners who have been saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9) We are saints because we accepted by faith the “Person and Work” of Christ All who are saved are designated as “saints” which means “set apart” or consecrated to God “Saint” comes from the same root word translated “holy,” meaning sanctified and set apart unto God Page 2 of 4 “Holy” identifies that which has been set apart by God for His special purpose, for His sacred use The “saints” are those who are saved and set aside by God as His holy people, 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (Studying God’s Word will motivate us live as “saints”) Saints are set apart unto God for His service at the time of salvation, we are saved to serve God Those who are saved are called “saints” because they belong to God, God’s unique possession We are different because of Christ; we are a distinct people because of Christ, 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: God has declared that He will accomplish His will through “a peculiar people” Today’s definition of “peculiar” does not explain what Peter was saying Believers are not odd, strange, abnormal, freakish, weird (some today do fall into that category) The original meaning of “peculiar” was particular; individual; distinctive; exclusive; private Peter is telling us that we are God’s unique and personal people, we are spiritual people Believers are the “private possession” of God, we are God’s personal people, we are purchased people Called out of darkness into His marvelous light for a reason, Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. It is a privilege to be a saint, it is also a responsibility to live as a saint, 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Every Christian is a saint, but all Christians are not living like saints Knowing that we are the “beloved of God” should motivate us to live like “saints,” 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. James warns us, Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. Do not be deceived by the temptations of sin, don’t be led astray by Satan Do not go roaming around in sin, don’t wander off-of the right path Peter instructs us, 1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (We are in a daily battle with Satan, Ephesians 6:10-17) Saints are separated from sin but not sinless, saints are not perfect but we are to be prepared for service, Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Living proof of salvation) I have often heard someone who claims to be a Christian excuse their sin with, “But God loves me” The eternal love of God for us is not a license to sin, it is not a reason to continue in sin, but to serve God The Biblical truth of God’s “Grace” is that we can turn from sin and serve God Paul said, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” God’s “Grace” is not a license to sin, to do as we please, it is the power to do as we should, Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Grace not only saves the lost, grace also teaches “God’s People,” Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; The grace of God will teach us to deny ungodliness, which is anything that is unlike God And to deny worldly lusts, the sinful desires of this present evil world that Satan tempts us with We can give sin up by the grace of God, the sin question should be a settled matter for the Christian Something that you have already determined to do, a definite action that you have already taken You should have already settled the issue you should have already made up your mind As God’s people you should say “No” to sin today and you should say “No” to sin tomorrow And it should be a once and for all decision, no more discussion is necessary Grace will teach God’s people how to “live soberly,” which is a sound, sensible, and right mind God’s People are to live “righteously,” a right relationship with God, yourself, and others Which is “Godly,” living according to the Word of God and the will of God Page 3 of 4 God’s “Grace” will allow us to live as God’s people in this present world, the world we now live in By the grace of God, we can live our daily life looking for the return of Jesus to the earth, Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; The “blessed hope” of the return of Jesus strengthens us and gives us peace for our path of life today “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” “Peace” that only the Christian can experience, Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. “The peace of God” does not mean that there will be no more trials or troubles Christians have a peace relationship with God even when there is trouble God’s “Peace” is an untroubled spirit in the time of trouble God’s “Peace” is an undisturbed spirit when daily life has been disturbed God’s “Peace” is well-being when you are walking through things that are not so well No experience that we face in life should take away the peace of God from us, Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Our “Peace of God” is our “Peace through Jesus”) No wonder Paul says that the peace of God is peace which passeth all understanding, It is beyond the ability of man to understand it or explain it Why is that true? Because it is so far beyond what the world calls positive thinking It is supernatural peace experienced only through the new life of salvation God’s peace cannot even be comprehended by the Christian who experiences it God’s peace surpasses “all understanding,” it cannot be explained, but it can be experienced You experience it when your mind is centered upon Christ and your heart is committed to Christ Don’t focus on the problem, focus on the One who can solve your problem Which is not just “mind over matter,” it is the “Spirit-filled” life in control of all things There can be peace in the-midst of problems because of our peace with God, which is through Christ Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Unless you have experienced “Peace with God,” you will not experience the “Peace of God” The peace of God is to govern our heart, Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. The peace of God in your heart is a trouble-free heart, Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. We experience the peace of God when we put our trust in God, Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Those who are without Christ know nothing of the peace of God They only know something of a peace relationship when there is the absence of trouble The circumstances of our life will change, but don’t change your mind about God, about who He is He is “God our Father,” 1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. There will be times that God is not well pleased with us, but His love for us will never cease, 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. He is the “Lord Jesus Christ,” Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Jesus gave Himself for us, listen to the song, it tells us what Jesus did for us Page 4 of 4