I have found that very few Christians understand the Biblical definition of a “saint”. In fact, in ignorance, they will go to great lengths to argue against any modern non-religiously recognized individual being referred to as a saint regardless of the good that the Christian individual has accomplished, his altruism, or selflessness in service to others.
Instead, most have unfortunately falsely concluded that sainthood is an attributable title of only special people, ones who have received formal recognition from a church, acknowledgment by a religious organization, or at the very least viewed as holy or virtuous by many people following their death. Many Christians mistakenly think a saint is a title bestowed upon religious people by other religious people — nothing is farther from the truth.
That definition is of man not of God.
Many even flippantly say “I’m no saint” intended as a humorous disclaimer about their behavior and these are the same who scoff and condemn another being referred to as a saint who doesn’t fall into the special categories. If this describes you, realize you are working against the will of God in your life and also demeaning and condemning another who is exemplifying sainthood or those who rightly refer to them as saints. It is a sin to reject the beautiful descriptor of those that God has blessed and sanctified.
God’s definition
All who have received Jesus Christ are saints and as such, each believing individual is then called to be a saint. God has set every believer apart from the wickedness of the world to do the good they can. To clarify, by the nature of our acceptance of God’s son we have become a saint, yet this is only the beginning.
Then we are called to live accordingly, endeavoring to do the good God wills us to do. To deny who you are before God severely limits your spiritual growth and sadly often results in your inability to correctly perceive the saints who are suffering in this world by giving of themselves to make it better for you and yours.
It matters not if one is new in Christ and learning the basics or mature in Christ from years of study and contemplation — both are saints before God.
In the New Testament, the word “saint” appears well over 50 times, as well as many times in the Old Testament.
A few examples:
Paul would address those he wrote in the early Churches as such;
to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord… (1 Corinthians 1:2, King James Version)
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:21, KJV)
Luke did as well;
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. (Acts 9:32, KJV)
King David when referring to God’s people;
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (Psalm 34:9, KJV)
John’s writings as well;
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ( Revelation 14:12, KJV)
In the Book of Daniel (7:18, KJV);
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
And a final example, in Matthew 27:52, KJV, describing the remarkable events of the day Jesus Christ was crucified;
And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.
All these and more are references to ordinary individuals, human beings like you and I, with the common denominator of being among those who have chosen to serve God.
Numerous references throughout the Bible refer to the believers/God’s people as saints. We are the ones set apart.
The saints among us
Those who truly believe in Christ Jesus and those who understand their sainthood to the degree they strive to use their gifts and talents in service to their family, friends, community, and nation. They are the ones who open their hearts to being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit by their willingness to be used by God. Realizing who you are, a saint, an individual God has chosen to do his work right where you are, will open the door to great works, blessings, and miracles.
You become what you focus upon. To deny your or another’s sainthood is to fight against the truth.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, KJV)
When one accepts Christ Jesus they begin anew. As they learn and grow, their life produces good fruit for all to see. It is this fruit, this light, which glorifies God.
Begin recognizing that you are called by God to be his saint on this earth by serving him in all that you do. Recognize, too, other saints — those in your life and those who you know not but are going good works to help other people be it in the world at large, in your community, nation, or church.
The form sainthood takes will vary immensely — from those considered lowly to those considered noble — the good works have one thing in common — they are loving and life-giving as they stem from an individual who has chosen to do what is right before God.
Just as the apostles referred to one another as saints, we should do so as well. Doing so acknowledges that the good we see the other doing is from God working through him. It is a witness and it affirms to all from whence those good works flow.
When I have made reference to an individual who has done extraordinary work in service to others as a saint I have been met with understanding by discerning Christians and utter ridicule by those who (sadly) take pride in being “Christian”.
Those in the first group already understand in their heart the true definition of a saint and once they realize the Biblical significance of using the correct terminology appreciate it and begin to do so, thereon correctly perceiving others as God does.
Those in the second group are judgmental and focus upon what they perceive as past sins in the person’s life — completely contradicting the very faith they proclaim.
While fake Christians focus on the past of a person, God and his saints focus on the present state of a mans’ soul and heart and the good works he selflessly does now.
You are not a sinner (you used to be). You are now a saint — one who may err (sin) but no longer does that define you before God. Your sainthood now defines you. It is the reason when you do commit a sin you are convicted in your heart of it and truly do all you can to avoid that action in the future. Your saintly behavior (good works in accord with God’s will) defines you now not the times you stray. That which is habitual conveys your heart to God and man.
If God calls you a saint, if He calls other believers saints, and He recognizes the saints who do good works blessing their family, friends, strangers, community, and nation — who are you to argue against it? You will never fully evince the sainthood God wills for you as long as you are in denial about yourself and negating the sainthood of others He has called.
There are saints among us — are you one?
