To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:1b

 

The whole Epistle to the Ephesians is very ecclesiological. That big word simply means it concerns the nature of the church (ecclesia). So if you want to really understand who we are as Christians, don’t look to the world or elsewhere. Just study what the Word says about our true identity.

In that vein, here the Word of God describes believers in two ways. Firstly, it calls us “saints”. That means holy ones, that is, set apart ones. It is interesting that God does not call us “sinners” as soon as we are born again. Although we do not achieve sinless perfection on this side of heaven, yet we are considered set apart, saints.

Some Christian traditions reserve the title Saint to a very select group of people, who become “canonised” long after their death. Thank God you and I don’t have to wait for someone to decide whether or not we are saints. God has already made us so! Of course, that means we must now live worthy of who we truly are. Let us live, talk, walk, behave, think, relate, work, worship, witness and even play-like true saints.

Secondly, the Bible here calls us “faithful”. That means believing, trusting in and loyal to Christ Jesus. While the first description (saints) concerns what the Lord has done for us by His grace, the second one is about our response. It is our duty to continue to trust the Lord even in difficult times. We must be loyal to Christ come what may. We must be tenacious in our dedication to the Master.

I beseech you by the mercies of God to remain holy and faithful in Christ in spite of every challenge, opportunity, trial or triumph. The terms saint and faithful must not be misnomers to you and I! Live up to who you really are in the Lord.

Pastor Josh