![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
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But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n All Christians are saints.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cminister<\/span>\u201d should be a familiar word to us by now. It is the Greek word diakone\u014d<\/em><\/span>, a verb meaning \u201cto serve or wait upon, with emphasis on the work to be done and not on the relationship between the served and the servant.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201csaints<\/span>\u201d is the Greek word hagios<\/em><\/span>, which means, \u201choly one.\u201d This word is believed to be derived from hagos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthat which causes awe.\u201d The root meaning of hagios<\/em> <\/span>is \u201cthat which is set apart from common use to the service of God.\u201d It also carries with it the notion of ceremonial cleanliness and purity.<\/p>\n As we pointed out previously, Paul\u2019s plan was to go to Spain and to stop by Rome on the way so that he could visit the Christians. First, though, he was planning on going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints there. We find a reference to this visit to Jerusalem and his subsequent plans to visit Rome in the book of Acts:<\/p>\n When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”<\/span> (Acts 19:21<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n It is not entirely clear whether Paul meant that he had purposed in his own spirit to make this trip or whether it was the Spirit of God who was directing him in his journeys. I suspect that it was the latter. Either way, he was not planning a vacation; he was planning to \u201cminister to the saints.\u201d Paul was going to Jerusalem as part of his calling to work, not to relax. He was taking money from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (both part of modern day Greece) to give to the saints in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about the \u201csaints\u201d for a moment. In the New Testament this term is used frequently, not referring to extraordinary people who have performed miracles and have been subsequently proclaimed \u201csaints\u201d by the church, but to anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as savior. All of us who are born again Christians are saints according to the doctrines of the apostles. As we learned in the beginning chapters of this letter to the Roman Christians, when we were saved God bestowed His grace on us by proclaiming us to be righteous. In other words, in God\u2019s record book, you and I are without sin because the blood of Christ has washed us clean. And because we now have the righteousness of Christ, legally in God\u2019s court room we stand as holy as God, and we are set-apart for His use.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a Christian, you\u2019re a holy saint!<\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t feel very holy!\u201d you may say.<\/p>\n Fortunately, our position in God\u2019s eyes doesn\u2019t depend on our feelings or our actions. It depends only on God\u2019s precious gift of grace which we didn\u2019t, don\u2019t, and never will deserve.<\/p>\n Why not get on your knees right now and thank Him for this gift of righteousness and holiness!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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