Moving On To Deeper Truth Series: Called To Be Saints

“Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.” Psalm 31:23

We seldom hear the term “saint” used anymore when talking about the people of God. I was speaking to a friend a month ago and mentioned this thought to her. I recall saying to my friend, “I wonder if Christians would act differently if they were called saints instead of Christians.”

Then I received an email from Addison Bevere, son of John and Lisa Bevere of Messenger International, promoting his new book Saints: Becoming More Than Christians.  In the book he encourages us to put on our identity as a saint and live in a relationship with Jesus. I
haven’t purchased the book yet, but knew this was a confirmation from the Holy Spirit that as Christians we need to know that being a saint is who we are called to be as Christ followers.

As saints, our old life has been crucified with Christ. Our identity and new life is hidden in Him. “Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory! (Col. 3:3 TPT)

Who is a saint? Britannica describes a saint as a “holy person, believed to have a special relationship to the sacred as well as moral perfection or exceptional teaching abilities.” Things that make you go 🤔

The Bible refers to all believers as saints. The word “Christian” is only used three times in the New Testament: (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16).

The word “saint” is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo). Its basic meaning is “to set apart, ” “sanctify, ” or “make holy.” A true saint is one who has become holy through the righteousness of Christ. They are sanctified and set apart from the ways of the world to live Christ’s life and demonstrate God’s Kingdom on earth.

The Lord is restoring His Church to its original intent and purpose. Acts 3:21 reveals that Jesus must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through his holy prophets.

Many of the New Testament truths that were understood by the first century church were lost during successive generations, until the Holy Spirit began enlightening these truths to God’s people at the time of the Protestant Reformation.

Did you know that God has work for His faithful ones you to accomplish before the return of Christ?

Saints are to be equipped to minister/serve in every sphere of influence in society. The fivefold ministry grace gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher were given to “nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-12) Without the proper equipping Church falls short of the glory of God.

“For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can he forget the work you have done for him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve his beloved ones^[q] for the glory of his name. Hebrews 6:10

Allow the Lord to build an excitement in your spirit for the coming reformation and revival of His Church.

May the grace, joy, and peace of God be yours through Jesus Christ our loving Lord. To Him be glory, now and forever.

Dr. A