Day 12 | What Makes Someone a Saint? – "Who I Am In Christ" Firm Foundation 21-Day Devotional
It is good to know what God expects from us as Christ Followers (a term I prefer to use over “Christians”). The Scriptures make it clear and easy to understand, if we have hearts to know.
God dignifies people like no other. Everything God requires, He provides. The truth of the matter is: We start with NOTHING! There is nothing within us, or about us, that is “sanctified” We have no capacity within ourselves to be “saints.”
Everything good and godly is found “In Christ.” So, our connection with Jesus and the transformation of our hearts through the New Birth opened the door to things that were impossible to achieve alone.
We are “called to be saints.” Sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state into which God in grace calls people. In the religious world, saints are rare, extraordinary people who have been “sainted” by ecclesiastical figures by virtue of their good works. In Christ's church, saints are ordinary people in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ––full stop.
The Biblical Greek word for “saint” (ἅγιος – hagios) means: “Most holy thing, separated, consecrated, a state into which God in grace calls people.”
The word hagios is used in other Bible verses such as Matthew 25:31, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy (hagios) angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”
Again, in the religious world, being recognized as a saint is a matter of attainment through much labor. It is unfortunate that simple realities have become complicated by men. The qualification for being a saint is plainly stated in our text, “To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”
Being sanctified (set apart for holy use) is a work of God, with which we cooperate. As stated in a previous post, religion is no substitute for relationship with the resurrected Christ.
According to God, you are a saint––not because you've earned it, but because it is part of your New Creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
Reflection Questions:
1. Why are you a saint?
2. What are God's expectations for you through relationship with Christ?
3. What do you expect from your life because of your relationship with Christ?
Action Items:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
