Called to be Saints

Called to be Saints, each person who has accepted Christ as his personal Saviour has been called to be a Saint of God.  This is not an honor bestowed upon a person by any institution, but rather a status freely delivered to the redeemed by the blood of Jesus.  I have rarely, if ever, heard this term used in this fashion, but it seems that those we refer to as “Christians” the Lord calls Saints. It is not a goal of mine to change the common terminology of the church, but rather to have more Biblical understanding of the meaning of the title, Saint.

No doubt, we have all heard of many figures in History who have had the title “Saint” added to their name: ‘Ole St. Nick, St. Patrick, and, the human author of the book Corinthians, St. Paul, to name a few.  The Catholic religion is responsible for the notoriety of such names as these.  The Catholic Church’s “canonization process” calls for either martyrdom or the performing of a miracle to achieve “Sainthood”. If this applies to any Catholic leader, that person’s life is researched in depth; then, if no mortal sins are discovered, they are submitted to a panel of Cardinals for approval, and then final approval comes from the current pope. I do not know about you, but I have a difficult time understanding why such an extreme process is necessary if we are all “Called to be saints” here in Corinthians.  We can clearly understand from this passage that all who call upon the Lord, no matter their homeland or past life or religion are included in this calling.

What is a Saint?

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines this term as, “A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue.”  This description is given to us in the Bible in the Old and New Testaments. (Deut. 14:2; I Peter 2:9).  As I mentioned before, the title “Saint” is synonymous with the title, “Christian”.  We commonly refer to other believers as, Christians; though, they may not accurately portray Christ in every area of their lives, as indicated by the term; they are called unto Him and have a fervent desire to know Christ and to please Him.

What is in store for the Saints?

 Romans 8:27, "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  As a saint, you have Jesus Christ praying to God the Father on your behalf!  Is that not the most incredible thing you have ever heard?  The Saviour of the whole world and the redeemer of our sins makes it a priority to speak to our Heavenly Father about us!

1 Corinthians 6:2, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?”  During the “Millennial Reign of Christ” after we return to earth with Him, at the conclusion of the “Great Tribulation” spoken about in the Book of the Revelation, we will judge the world!

What is expected of the Saints?

Psalm 30:4 "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."

Psalm 31:23 "O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."

Psalm 34:9 "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."

Psalm 132:9 "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy."

Ephesians 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"

Ephesians 5:3 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"

2 Thessalonians 1:10 "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."

What will Christ do for His Saints?

Psalm 37:28 "For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."

Proverbs 2:8 "He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints."

Daniel  7:18  "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever."

Ephesians 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"