Saints

2021-11-02

What is a saint? In our regular vernacular, we have turned the word saint into a person whom we define as someone held in high esteem and a highly moral person. It is rarely used of any average person. But what is a saint in the Bible?

The saints are God’s people, and because of that they are the “holy ones” (by definition). God set His people apart for His purposes: “Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand” (Deuteronomy 33:3).

To some, saints may be those who have already gone to be with the Lord. However, saints also dwell on earth; they do not become saints at death: “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight” (Psalms 16:3).

The Lord never forsakes His saints: “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever” (Psalm 37:28).

In the New Testament, it become clear that all Christians are saints: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). All (note this word, “all”) Christians in Rome are called to be saints. We see this in 1 Corinthians 1:2: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). The members of the church in Corinth are “called to be saints,” though their conduct needed a lot of guidance, as seen in the subsequent chapters of the letter. This usage also appears in Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; and Colossians 1:2.

Saints are not Jewish people only: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Saints can be poor and destitute: “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26).

Saints can be imperfect and incomplete: “For the perfecting of the saints...” (Ephesians 4:12). Their behavior should match their calling as saints: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3).

If you are a Christian, you are a saint! You may not be perfect, and you may have hardships in life. However, you have been sanctified (set apart) for His purposes. Be comforted that there are no second-class citizens in the Lord.