SAINTS IN CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD
Paul closed the book of Philippians (written from Rome) by saying, “All the saints salute
you, especially they that are of Caesar’s household” (Phil. 4:22). In spite of the abuse of the
word “saint,” it is still a good word, and despite false teachings about the term, a saint is merely
one who has been sanctified and thereby made holy. In other words, a saint is a Christian. Now
consider that verse again: Saints--Christians--were in the imperial household or family. We can
easily imagine what the family life of a debase, immoral reprobate like Nero was like. The im-
morality of Nero’s world was far worse than the ungodliness of our present day and age. If it was
possible to be a saint (Christian) in ancient Rome (and it was), then it is possible to be a saint
(Christian) in modern day America.
God’s people in times past lived godly lives in the midst of unbelievably corrupt environ-
ments. In the days before the flood, Enoch maintained such a level of holiness that he “walked
with God” (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5). The world in Enoch’s day was so wicked, so degraded, so
corrupt that a sin-hating Creator eventually decreed its destruction. But in that world of almost
universal darkness, Enoch’s bright light of goodness shined clearly. In spite of all the evil forces
arranged for his undoing, Enoch’s great-grandson, Noah, also lived true to God and managed the
salvation of his family (Heb. 11:7). It is interesting that we are told that Noah also “walked with
God” (Gen. 6:9). Down through the years, courageous men and women living in depraved conditions have
shown that it is possible to in the world, but not of the world. The One Who did this best of all,
of course, was Jesus Christ. The life of one who lives in imitation of Jesus will be a current of
fresh air in a sin-stenched atmosphere. Someone has said, “A ship is safe in the ocean as long as
the ocean is not in the snip.” A Christian is safe in the world as long as the world is not in the
Christian. May we, as the Lord’s people everywhere, live as bright and shining lights “in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Many people are honest--until they are faced with a situation
tempting enough to make them dishonest!
Love ya,
Jesse
you, especially they that are of Caesar’s household” (Phil. 4:22). In spite of the abuse of the
word “saint,” it is still a good word, and despite false teachings about the term, a saint is merely
one who has been sanctified and thereby made holy. In other words, a saint is a Christian. Now
consider that verse again: Saints--Christians--were in the imperial household or family. We can
easily imagine what the family life of a debase, immoral reprobate like Nero was like. The im-
morality of Nero’s world was far worse than the ungodliness of our present day and age. If it was
possible to be a saint (Christian) in ancient Rome (and it was), then it is possible to be a saint
(Christian) in modern day America.
God’s people in times past lived godly lives in the midst of unbelievably corrupt environ-
ments. In the days before the flood, Enoch maintained such a level of holiness that he “walked
with God” (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5). The world in Enoch’s day was so wicked, so degraded, so
corrupt that a sin-hating Creator eventually decreed its destruction. But in that world of almost
universal darkness, Enoch’s bright light of goodness shined clearly. In spite of all the evil forces
arranged for his undoing, Enoch’s great-grandson, Noah, also lived true to God and managed the
salvation of his family (Heb. 11:7). It is interesting that we are told that Noah also “walked with
God” (Gen. 6:9). Down through the years, courageous men and women living in depraved conditions have
shown that it is possible to in the world, but not of the world. The One Who did this best of all,
of course, was Jesus Christ. The life of one who lives in imitation of Jesus will be a current of
fresh air in a sin-stenched atmosphere. Someone has said, “A ship is safe in the ocean as long as
the ocean is not in the snip.” A Christian is safe in the world as long as the world is not in the
Christian. May we, as the Lord’s people everywhere, live as bright and shining lights “in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Many people are honest--until they are faced with a situation
tempting enough to make them dishonest!
Love ya,
Jesse
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