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SAINTS

 

           There is confusion in the religious world today as some claim that you cannot be a “saint” until after you are dead. Are you a saint? The apostle Paul made it very clear that a “saint is one who is in Christ: (Phil 4:21) “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you." How does one get into Christ? (Gal 3:27)  "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Therefore, I conclude that all who have been “baptized into Christ” are “saints”! I would agree that you have to be dead, but not physically dead; the death that makes us suitable to become a “saint” is a death unto sin: (Rom 6:11) “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

           What are some of the characteristics that are befitting a “saint”?

First of all a “saint” is attentive to the voice of Christ: (John 10:4) “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." Not only are we to recognize the voice of Christ, [I.e. acknowledge His authority] we must obey the words He speaks to us.

A “saint” is one who is “blameless and harmless: (Phil 2:15) “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;"

A “saint” is devout: (Acts 22:12)  "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,"

A “saint” has been called, chosen and is faithful: (Rev 17:14) “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

If we want to become a “saint” we must first fear God: (Acts 10:2) “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."

A “saint” follows Christ: (John 10:27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

Actually the list is quite long, but I believe that you can see that it is possible to be a “saint”. The most important thing for us to remember is that we must follow Jesus [Jn. 10:27]. Are you following Jesus? Are you allowing His life to be a pattern of your life? The apostle Paul did and so must we! There is no day like today to become a “saint”!