You Holy Ones! - Karen Pourbabaee
“To all the beloved of God…called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7 NAB
We are first called to be holy; consecrated, set apart, and belonging to God. We’re also called to a holy life, one of devotion and virtuous living. Both occur because of God’s grace.
Holiness is the will of God (I Thessalonians 4:2) and our calling according to 1 Corinthians 1:2: “to the church of God, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy…”
The Father has given us the means to become one of His holy ones, and that is through accepting His bestowal of grace upon our lives. 2 Timothy 1:9: “He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to His own design and the grace bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus...” His grace both saves us and sanctifies us throughout our life-long journey as Christians.
The opening greetings of the New Testament letters and epistles always included wishes for grace and peace to the believers in Christ. The early apostles knew that grace was not just the key to securing salvation, i.e. becoming a “holy one,” but to a continuing life in Christ and the growth of the Church. Grace is the kindness of God to man, undeserved love and favor. Grace is the key to holiness, opening the way to a holy life.
Grace always preceded peace in the New Testament greetings; not a coincidence. Receiving God’s grace brings peace, found first in becoming His holy one, and always in the living of a holy life. May grace and peace be yours, holy ones!
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