Saints by Calling

In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul describes the members of the church at Corinth in two ways. First, he says that they are sanctified in Christ. That is, in Christ they have been made holy or set apart to God. And in regard to this, the Corinthian Christians are completely passive. This is something God has done for His people, and this is the basis on which you, members of Providence Church, are called saints. You are not called saints because you have an abundance of good works. You are called saints because God has so named you for Himself in Christ.

Secondly, Paul says that the Corinthians are called to be saints. In other words, they are to live in light of what God has done for them. He has set them aside for Himself and they are to conduct themselves as ones set apart for God. Sometimes we make this a great theological conundrum and confuse ourselves about how grace and faith and works all fit together. But it’s really very simple. God has called you holy completely apart from works, and so now in response you must seek to be the holy men and women God has called you to be.