1046. Religion Says You Ain't No Saint (But God Says You Are)

What comes to mind when you hear the word "saint"? Most will picture what tradition and perhaps even our dictionary has told us ... such as these examples: A) An extremely virtuous person. B) A person of exceptional holiness or goodness. C) Someone regarded with deep respect or reverence. D) A person who has died and gone to heaven. E) The process of canonization from earthly humans, making the appointed saint capable of interceding for people on earth. Some church building managers even like to flaunt the title of "reverend," which seems to be reserved for a certain few. The Greek word appears about 235 times in the New Testament pages. Most of the time it is translated as HOLY. But at least 25% of the time the same word is translated as SAINTS. Paul opens many of his letters to the "saints" and makes other references in various parts of his letters. He wasn't narrowing his remarks to "super spiritual" people who lived exemplary lifestyles of holiness. He wasn't making a correlation between being a saint combined with one's works and actions. He certainly wasn't writing to people who passed after their body died. He was simply addressing or making references to believers in Christ. Being a saint is part of your identity as a new creation in Christ and it has nothing to do with your behavior. You *are* righteous, sanctified and holy. It is not something you are striving to attain so that you may boast in your accomplishments. It is because God has *gifted* us with His holiness. The sooner we can latch onto this, the more easily we'll begin to understand the gospel. --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7