Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 5– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Called to be saints.” 

—Romans 1:8

We tend to think of the Apostles and the early Christians as saints in a special sense, but the Bible tells us that all believers in Christ are “saints” (or “holy ones”) whom God has called by his grace and set apart by his Spirit. Likewise, we tend to think that our struggle with sin is much greater than it was for these early believers. The fact is, however, that if we had seen the apostle Paul, we would have found his experience and ours to be much the same. Don’t look upon the ancient saints as being exempt from the same difficulties that you have to endure. Don’t regard them with that “mystic reverence” which turns us into idolaters. We can live in the same holiness. We are “called to be saints” by that same voice that drew them to their high calling.

It is a Christian’s duty to take his sainthood seriously, and, if the saints of history were superior to us in their attainments, as many certainly were, let us follow them; let us emulate their dedication and holiness, knowing that we have the same light and grace that they had. Why should we rest satisfied until we have become like them in heavenly character? They lived with Jesus, and for him, and they grew to become like him. Today, let us follow their example. As we “look unto Jesus,” our saintly way of life will soon become apparent. [M&E]