To God’s holy people in Ephesus …
Summary: When God accepts us into his family, we become alive to God again. As living members of God’s family, we are special human beings. God expects us to behave in a certain way which can be confusing. We are not considered holy because of how we behave. Instead, we are holy because God says so.
I love the way that Paul writes his letters. They are very distinct, and like a signature, they follow a recognizable pattern.
In this letter, he begins by introducing himself. He starts with “Paul…” and then instead of saying “Paul from Tarsus” or “Paul, son of so-and-so” he says “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.” But even that is not enough. He needs to proclaim his authority as an apostle so he adds, “… by the will of God.”
Having established himself as a bonafide apostle, Paul tells us to whom his letter is addressed. This particular letter is addressed to “God’s holy people in Ephesus.”
This is an unusual title. This is not addressed to “God’s people,” or “all believers.” He specifically addresses this letter to “God’s holy people.” Is this significant?
The International Children’s Bible (ICB) translates this passage this way: “To God’s holy people living in Ephesus, believers in Christ Jesus.” About two-thirds of all English translations use the word “saint” instead of “holy.” The King James Version (KJV) is a good example: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”
Judging from the contents of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he does not call them “holy” or “saints” because they are better or smarter than other people. Far from it. His letter is an instruction manual for how to live according to God’s will. If they were “holy” in the sense that their holiness was derived from their actions, then they would be something special indeed. But they are not. They are ordinary people like you and me. Paul is clear that our holiness before the Father does not come from us, but rather from the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
The Greek word “hagios,” which is translated as “saint” or “holy,” can mean a lot of things. In this case, it seems apparent that Paul intended the word to mean that God’s people are “set apart for God.”
Let’s suppose that someone sends you a box of coffee mugs. You open the box and discover that each mug is different. You pick out one mug for yourself and set the others on the counter. When friends and family come over, they can pick from any mug on the counter, but your special mug is just for you. This ordinary coffee mug is now special. It is yours alone. If it were God’s coffee mug, it would be considered “holy.”
God did something similar in the Old Testament. He had the Israelites set apart a patch of ground wherever they camped. They all lived in tents, but God had them make a special tent just for him. Inside this tent was a place that was marked off for God alone. It was called the “Most Holy Place,” or in some translations, the “Holy of Holies.”
Now, instead of marking off a piece of real estate and setting it aside as his own, God sets aside the people who accept his son, Jesus Christ, as his own. We become his people, his special possession (1 Peter 2:9). Because of Jesus, we are considered saints. But don’t let that go to your head! Paul has a lot of other things to say, too.
Application: Being God’s holy people is a special responsibility. We have to try and live up to God’s expectations.
Food for Thought: How does it feel to be holy?
Good devotion brother. I like the clear definition of being holy and the coffee mug analogy.
I think it is truly special to be seen as holy by the holy God. He makes us that way – and that is also significant. The only motive I can find for all the gifts that He lavishes on us who have faith in Christ – is love. Our best response is worship through word and deed. And that is where he seems to be going – Ephesians 1: 3 – 14.
Rich,
I always appreciate your insights and your comments. To your point about God’s motivation, love is the only word we have for it. 🙂
01-30-2023, How does it feel to be holy?
Humbling, Exhilarating!
In His foreknowledge of ALL things, God has been aware of every event on earth. BEFORE creation, He knew the names of all who would exercise their free will by choosing rebellion over obedience to His will. He chose to sacrifice His only Son as a path to reconciliation for all who humbly choose to accept His sacrifice for our sins by faith.
God created and sustains all life and patiently waits for the last person to make their choice. To choose His will over their own through Christ, or choose judgement by rejecting the revelation of truth, “conviction of the Holy Spirit.”
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”.
Ephesians 1:4
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.”.
2 Timothy 1:9
To be considered holy is far beyond anything I had envisioned when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior so very long ago, but with God, all things are possible.
From a guy who spent 40 years “in the desert” not understanding that because Christ paid my debt of sin, God does not see my sin when he sees me, I have to say it feels peaceful, encouraging, and liberating to be holy. Christ stands victorious over death, at the right hand of God, and has adopted me into His family. As I walk with Him, He and the Holy Spirit help me understand the parts of my life that don’t follow His Will, not in condemnation, but in growth and closeness to Him. That grace, that love, means everything to me.
I am grateful to God that He considers my heart a place that he resides.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.