GOD’S WORD—Romans 1:7
To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
MEDITATION
Today’s Word from God – including a portion of Paul’s opening comments in his letter to the Roman Christians – offers opportunity to shed some Christmas light on what it means to be a saint. Pictured above is Saint Thomas, one of the disciples of our Lord who is recognized in many Christians traditions this day. He wasn't always "saintly". He had his doubts. No wonder he is referred to as "Doubting Thomas."
But what exactly is a saint? Does saint refer to someone who has died? Do they wear halos above their heads? Are they kind of like Christian Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts who do good deeds?
A saint, quite simply, is a holy one. To be holy means to be without sin. It also refers to someone or something that belongs to the Lord. If we look only at ourselves, we are not saints. However, at the first Christmas God gave to us His only-begotten Son. Looking to Him and taking into consideration all He did on our behalf (His perfect life, death for our sins, and victory over death and grave in His resurrection), we qualify on both counts. By the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we are saints. Being a saint is not as much about behavior as it is about being!
PRAYER
Stir up, we beseech You, O Lord, Your power and come; and with great might protect us, so that our deliverance, impeded by our sins, may be hastened by Your gracious mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
VERSE
O Radiant Dawn,
Splendor of eternal light,
Sun of justice:
Come, shine on those who live in darkness
And in the shadow of death.
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