The Saints II

Rom.1:⁷ (NRSV) “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Yesterday, we saw from God’s Word that Jesus calls us saints, even while we are alive and well. The only thing that qualifies us to be saints is the blood of the Lamb. They tell us, for instance, in the Catholic church, that to ascend to the sainthood the person must fulfill the following. Firstly, the person must have been dead for five years. Secondly, the person must have done ‘a great work’ for Christ. Which is why they idolize the Peters of this world; they have done a great work. Thirdly, the person’s bishop must apply after five years that the person is considered. The fourth step is it comes to the papacy. Next, after it has gone through different processes, then the person is canonized, and then declared a saint of the church. Jesus says that you are saints already.

I know for some of us will struggle with this truth even right now. Read it yourself from scripture; Eph.1:¹ (NRSV) “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus.” (emphasis added).  We see from scripture that Paul was addressing people that are alive. Peter says being a saint has nothing to do with the works these people have done. What qualifies them to be saints is the work that Jesus has done on the cross of Calvary. That is what qualifies us to be saints. When we stand before God, we stand blameless, not because we have built twenty churches or set-up churches, or we have done great works. We stand blameless, not because God has healed the sick and raised the dead through us. Those things are great no doubt but that is not what makes us saints. What makes us saints is the complete work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. That work is so complete, there is nothing anybody can add to it – nothing!

If you are given to titles, you can legitimately append saint to your name, and you will be correct. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus.” God always always always relates to a local church, to the body. You will find this repeatedly in the Book of Revelations. God, addressing the churches in different locations. The truth is, a Christian that is not part of (a member of) a local church, is an orphan. I know some people claim to be spiritual and not religious. If you really are spiritual, you will be in Christ and you cannot divorce Christ from His body.

Prayer (song): Precious Jesus, I thank You for Your blood. Precious Jesus, I thank You for Your body broken for me. I remember all You’ve done for me, Your perfect sacrifice… Amen!