Some would like us to believe that a saint is someone very different from other Christians and that they have worked hard to achieve this noble title. In some religions they must be dead for five years, then the local church they were part of decides if the gathering of information proves to be of heroic virtue and if a miracle has occurred due to the prayers of that person. Then, the information travels up the chain of command, and if the information is proved to be valid he or she can be declared a saint. Those who believe this, place the responsibility of becoming a saint on the deeds of the person, and some man that deems them worthy. While that sounds good to a lot of people, it just isn’t the way we become a saint!
A saint is one who is set apart unto God because they are in union with Jesus Christ. All who have been saved are sanctified in Jesus. They have met the condition by placing their faith in Him. In I Corinthians 1:2, Paul refers to those in the church at Corinth as saints. In Romans 1:6-7, he again refers to those who are in Christ Jesus as saints. All who have placed their faith in Him repented of their sins and made Him Lord of their life, have achieved the title of sainthood. It is instantaneous, and eternal if they continue in their faith in Jesus.
I Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours”
Romans 1:6-7 “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Wow, it’s a great feeling to know that you are a saint of God. However, with that title comes responsibility. We are to seek to be like the one who made our sainthood possible. To be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ is a tall order. One that we will not complete on this earth, but one that we are to continually be seeking. After we become a saint, we are then entering the process of sanctification. In 1st John 2:6 we are to abide in Christ and walk or act, as Jesus did.
I John 2:6 “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
We are also instructed to be holy. In I Peter 1:14-16, God instructs us to be holy because He is holy. In verse 14 we are to be obedient and different than we were before we were saved. In verse 15 the word conversation means conduct. We are to be holy in all the things we do. We need to judge everything we do according to what pleases God. If it wouldn’t please God, lay it aside. This is the process of sanctification. Every day we need to seek to become more like Jesus and less like the world we live in. Our goal should be to please Him not those around us.
I Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
The most honorable position I can have is to be a saint of God. Because of this great honor, I will one day enter a state of eternity with Him. I am very thankful that God made a way for this title to be bestowed on me, not because I merited it, but because the righteousness of His Son can be placed on my account. Hallelujah, I don’t have to earn it, and He will help me to live it.
So, with this knowledge, are you a saint? If so, rejoice in it and seek to be holy as He has instructed all His saints. If not, you can be, and you don’t have to wait five years after you die. You don’t need to be confirmed by any man. Jesus Christ is ready and waiting for you to come to Him in faith and He wants to declare you to be a saint.
Romans 10:8-9 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
