You are a SAINT of God
“But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem ” (ESV)Acts 9:13
The word “saint” has been translated in many bible versions to mean holy, godly, believers, thy people etc. Most dictionaries although acknowledging the word “Saint” has its origin in Christianity, explain this word to mean holy people who are dead and are in heaven. Having done my research with the bible, where the word originated, I am yet to find a verse that talk of the use of “saints in that context”.
In Leviticus 11:45 – God used the same word as “I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. In 1 Corinthians 1: 2 Paul wrote “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
2 Peter 3: 11 mention that “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives”. This is what it means to be a saint – Someone who lives a godly life. Ananias who baptized Saul / Paul in Acts referred to the Christians as “Saints” of God (Acts 9:13) because they were living godly lives.
There have been countless instances where Saints have been used in the bible and in all instances; it is used for the LIVING, who are capable of action words such as “live, rescue, walk, to be, become, etc. –Proverbs 16: 31, 20:7, 21:15, Titus 1:1, 2 Peter 2:9,1 Peter 1:16, 2:9, Ephesians 1:4, 2:21, 4:24, Col 1:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 5:23 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 10:29 etc. and the list goes on and on.
So beloved brethren, I bet to differ with any religious group (Christians or not) that refers to “Saints of God” as dead people living in heaven. For we are saints here on earth because the blood of He who is Holy and True (Revelation 3:7) continuously washes us here on earth. And as such we agree with Colossians 1:22 when it says “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”
We can’t go to heaven if we are not first of all saints here on earth. Being a saint is not about being perfect because our perfection is Christ. So in as much as we may err here on earth, being a saint of God is all about living a godly life in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:4). We ought to live like Jesus did and count on him to see us through.
Being holy is to show forth God’s glory to mankind and this can be done whiles on earth and not hereafter. Should this be possible in heaven, then we might as well die in our sin and repent at heaven’s gate. It’s funny right? Be not be deceived, 2 Timothy 1:9 affirms “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time-to show us his grace through Christ Jesus”.
You and I (rightly baptized Children of God), are the SAINTS OF GOD; for we have been called to live holy and blameless lives here on earth to show forth his glory and to bring others to repentance. Never buy that false doctrine of “you are saint only when you die”.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Words of hymn: William D. Longstaff, 1882. Music: Holiness, George C. Stebbins, 1890 (MIDI, score).