07/05/2019
Why is it that we look at certain followers of Christ and call them saints, but we are reluctant to refer to ourselves as such? Do you think that sainthood is beyond your reach, or only for some and not others? Well, this is the work of the great deceiver, and sainthood is just as available to you as it was to the apostles, and the early members of the Church. Being a saint should be every Christian’s desire.
“To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:7 ESV
Do you feel that you were called to be Christian just as the apostle’s were called? Do you think you are struggling to be like Jesus just as they struggled? Do you think that you face the same temptations and trials that they did? Don’t you feel the presence of the same Holy Spirit they felt, and do you obey the will of God as they did? Maybe you answered “yes” to these and are a saint already, or perhaps only some of them, and you are on the road to sainthood... but being a saint is not a reward reserved for a few specially chosen people. We all are called, all follow the same Jesus, all face temptation, and all receive the same Holy Spirit. We are not meant to be less than the apostles... just walking a bit behind them down the same road of faith.
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:7-8 ESV
Sometimes we read the words humble or humility, and we confuse them with denying our abilities, or to establishing our degree of faithfulness; we hear these words and denigrate ourselves... not only before others, but within our own hearts. Don’t confuse recognizing your faith as boasting but as actually telling the truth about your journey... your walk of faith may be an example for others to follow, and your denial might cause them spiritual harm.
When I was young I loved to play baseball, and after school I would play almost every day with my friends. I had certain Major League stars who were my hero’s, and one day I wanted to be in the Majors just as they did, but there was also an older boy in my neighborhood who could play better than me, and I was always trying to hit the ball like he could, field the ball as well as he did, and generally be as good as he was. I saw this as something I could accomplish. Sometimes I would ask him to help me with my fielding or to perfect my batting stance, and I recall learning how to pitch sidearmed as he could. I didn’t do this because he was less, but because I saw in him something I wanted to imitate. It is the same in our faith... when we deny our strength of faith to others because we feel it isn’t humble to admit we are further down the way of faith than they are, then we are denying them our example, witness, and helping hand.
“For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.”
Romans 14:7-8 ESV
So what is a saint? Well, it comes from the Greek Word “hegios”, and it means separated for God’s use, or consecrated. An interesting thing about this Word is that it is almost always applied in scripture in its plural form. Here is an example, but pay attention as you read the Word in the future...
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.”
Romans 16:1-2 ESV
The Lord doesn’t intend to create a single saint every now and then, but for us all to be known as saints... to all do God’s will, for all of us to be set aside as men and women of faith. So being a saint, or being called a saint is not presumptuous, it should be our goal in faithfulness, and almost synonymous with the word Christian.
We get confused because the catholic church, and orthodox churches venerate certain saints as being especially holy... like Mother Teressa, Saint Paul, or the other apostles, and they set them on a plane above us. They confer this title, and seemingly separate it from those who were called “saints” in the early church. Using the same word to honor those especially righteous followers gives the appearance that this is something reserved for a few, and unlikely to be attained by the rest. Being a saint does not require special dispensation by the church... it is indicative of our own personal walk of faith. Was Mother Teressa less a saint the day, week, or years before the catholic church conferred, or bestowed, the title upon her?
Is it an honor that the church grants certain people the title of saint... yes, but it would be less confusing if they had chosen another word to indicate it. After all, “saint” was already in use long before it was used in this context, and placed all those set aside in faith as being equal before God, but then, the word was repurposed, and as if to confuse the term further, they chose to use the word saint differently when using it to identify Apostles, prophets, martyrs, church leaders, monks, and finally the just... it became a term used to establish a pecking order. It no longer was inclusive, and used to identify all those set aside for God’s use, but took on the air of exclusivity. Be careful Church when vanity encroaches on faith.
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Matthew 19:29-30 ESV
We are not less than Jesus in our inheritance, so as saints we are not less, one from another either. Are you a saint, or on the way to becoming one? Have you set yourself apart to be used by God? If so then do not feel undeserving to be called what you are... saints.
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Romans 8:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling me to faith in Jesus Christ, and for establishing me through Him as your child, and as a saint to be used for your purposes. Thank you Holy Father for making me an heir and joint heir with Jesus, and for making even the least to be first in your kingdom. Teach me Holy Spirit how to properly view my faith, and to understand that it is the same faith that the apostles had. Show me Lord that in your eyes I am as valuable as any diamond, or saint, and that you will seat me beside Jesus at your table. Give me humility Father... not by my denying my faith, but in realizing it to be no more precious than another’s in your eyes. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who calls us to Himself and separates us from the world for His use. Great are you who calls us to sainthood, and treats us all with equality. Praised be your name Merciful Father for calling me child, and taking me into your house. All glory is yours, not by my works, or station, but by your grace that saves every sinner who calls out to you through Jesus. Hear us now your children, your saints, as we worship you, and call out to you in humble prayer forevermore.
Rich Forbes