While the word ―Christian is only found a couple of times in the Bible, God’s people are referred to as ―saints in roughly 60 verses in the New Testament! But how many of us view ourselves as a saint? In truth, we probably think of a saint as someone who is near perfect in their walk with God, or perhaps a picture-perfect model of all that a Christian is to be. We might even envision a saint as some aged and mature child of God. Due to denominational doctrine, some even view saints as departed children of God who have been venerated after their death. However, being a saint doesn’t require one to be perfect, elderly, or even deceased. In fact, all saved people are ―called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2). If you are a Christian, then you are also one of God’s saints!
Being a saint is a great blessing, but it is also a great responsibility. The term ―saint translates a Greek word that is in the same family of words as the terms ―sanctified and ―sanctify. All of these words have to do with being ―set apart and being ―set aside by God. When a person gives their life to God in Biblical faith, the Lord ―sets them apart from sin and ―sets them aside for His special purposes. The fact that we are ―called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2) is a lofty challenge to live up to who and what we are in Jesus. God is sending out the call for His people to live like saints in a world full of sin and sinners. He is calling us to be different, to rebel against the bandwagon mentality that is so rife in our culture, and be distinct for His intended purposes. Friend, you are a Christian if you are in Christ, but you are also His saint! The challenge is ours to act like it!
– Brandon Baggett
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
