Sainthood.
What does it mean to be a saint? In 1 Peter, we are given an identity check:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
(1 Peter 2:9-10, NASB)
Here we are told three things:
- Who we are ”“ We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
- What we are to be ”“ Holy.
- How this is done in us ”“This work is done solely in and through the work of Christ.
To be holy means we are being set apart for a purpose. There should be something distinguishing us from all others. So the question becomes …
What does it mean to live like a saint?
- We understand the work God has done for us. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22, NIV). God does the work in us; we do not do it for ourselves. We are simultaneously saint and sinner.
- We reflect God’s work in our lives. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV). We are to let our vocations, those things that we do each and every day, be the avenue in which we share our story and meet the needs of others.
- We remind ourselves of God’s Presence in our life. There is never a time in which God is not active in our lives. We must learn to recognize Him during the day. “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24, NIV). That word, “consider” in the Hebrew means, “to understand intellectually, examine, investigate” (Old Testament Lexical Aids). We are to think about Him, staying so focused on Him, that we come to recognize Him at work in our day.
We are already what Christ has made us, and we are becoming what He is making us.
Sainthood –
It is a past, current and continuous work in our lives.
Have you ever thought about the seeds you sow? Nylse Eshac shares a wonderful acronym to encourage us to create positive physical and spiritual habits. You can read her post “Seeds” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
* This is an edited post from 2012.
Photo by Maddy Baker on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
SEEDS seems to have resonated with many. Thanks for highlighting.
My pleasure!
Saint is a daunting term to live up to–how wonderful that we have been declared righteous, and are empowered by the Spirit to produce actual holiness.
It’s a term hard to imagine, only through Him.
Growing up, to attain Sainthood always seemed like receiving the Pulitizer Prize – few received it and you had to be the best of the best. Yet, as you point out, it is God who does the work. We just need to pursue with all our hearts and not give up though we may miss it and have to pick ourselves back up to continue again towards Him.. That I can do.
May we always pick ourselves up and keep running towards Him. He will always do the rest. So grateful for you, Maryleigh, as your words always encourage me.
We do need to do an identity check often. It’s so easy to forget who we really are in Christ. We need it not only for ourselves, but also for our showing love to others.
Joanne, so hard tomthink of myself as a “saint”. Perhaps my Catholic upbrainging instilled the seriousness of this designation. Buth the words of Peter you highlighted here, speak encouragement, hope and responsibility not to be taken lightly. Thank you for this timely rmeinder of sainthood!
Donna, what you have shared about your Catholic background makes perfect sense. I am glad you were encouraged and that we have a hope in Jesus and His completed work in our lives.
This seems to go along so well with the conversation currently at my blog: Can we attain perfection or completeness in Christ? i love your line, “We are to think about Him, staying so focused on Him, that we come to recognize Him at work in our day.” That seems to be the key in becoming complete as well. Our focus should be on Him as we strive to be more like Him.
You are so right, Jerralea. And as we strive to be more like Him, our focus can only be on Him.
Beautifully said Joanne. Blessings.
~Selah ~
Thank you, Paula.
Enjoyed your post, Joanne. I like what you shared about living like a saint. It is something we strive for, but cannot quite achieve on earth. But that should not stop us from keeping on toward the goal. We are chosen–we are holy, so our actions in service to our Father reflect this special relationship we have with Him. Thank you for sharing this inspiring message.
Thank you, Katherine, for taking the time to share here.
I’m going to have to ponder the succinct way you stated this, Joanne, “Sainthood ”“ It is a past, current and continuous work in our lives.”
Joanne, this reminds me of what C.S. Lewis says in “Mere Christianity” about believers being “little Christs.” Holiness seems like such a daunting goal, but as you point out, “God does the work in us; we do not do it for ourselves.” What a relief that is! Hugs, friend!
I think most of us would buck the term saint. But you have explained it wonderfully here.
I love this reminder Joanne that Christ in us is Holy, thus we are His Royal & Holy priesthood.
Very sobering indeed!
Blessings, Jennifer
Jennifer, it is sobering and the thought inspires me to depend on Him more each day. Without Him, it is impossible and I fail miserably.