View source for The fact is,

'''Back to [[Spurgeon GEMS volume 3]]'''
----
<p>"Called to be saints." Romans 1:7 <br>
  <br>
  We are very apt to regard the <em>New Testament saints</em> as if they were "saints" in a more especial manner, than the other children of God.<br><br> All are "saints" whom God has <em>called </em>by His grace, and <em>sanctified </em>by His Spirit; but we are apt to look upon the apostles as <em>extraordinary beings</em>, scarcely subject to the same weaknesses and temptations as ourselves! Yet in so doing, we are forgetful of this truth—that the nearer a man lives to God—the more intensely has he to mourn over his own evil heart; and the more his Master honours him in His service, the more also does the evil of the flesh vex and tease him day by day.<br>
  <br>
  <strong>The fact is,</strong> if we had seen the apostle Paul, we would have thought him just like the rest of the chosen family. And if we had talked with him, we would have said, "We find that his experience and ours are much the same. He is more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are—but he has the same exact trials to endure. Nay, in some respects—he is more sorely tried than ourselves." <br><br>
  Do not, then, look upon the <em>New Testament saints</em> as being exempt either from <em>infirmities </em>or <em>sins</em>. And do not regard them with that <em>mystic reverence</em>which will almost make us idolaters!<br><br> Their holiness is attainable even by us. We are "called to be saints" by that same voice which constrained them to their high calling. It is every Christian's duty to force his way into the <em>inner circle of saintship</em>. <br><br>If these saints were superior to us in their attainments, as they certainly were, let us follow them; let us emulate their ardour and holiness. We have the same <em>light </em>that they had, the same <em>grace </em>is accessible to us—so we should not rest satisfied until we have equaled them in <em>Heavenly character!</em><br><br> They lived <em>with </em>Jesus, they lived <em>for </em>Jesus, therefore they grew <em>like </em>Jesus. Let us live by the same spirit as they did—"looking unto Jesus," and <em>our saintship</em> will soon be apparent!
----
'''Back to [[Spurgeon GEMS volume 3]]'''