Embracing Our True Identity in Christ
Introduction: Rediscovering the Word ‘Saint’
I first wrote this post in 2020 as part of the Moving On To Deeper Truth Series: Called To Be Saints, after a conversation with a friend, during which I shared this thought, “I wonder if Christians would act differently if they were called saints instead of Christians,” and understood the significance of what it means.
Have you ever paused to consider how rarely we hear the word saint in everyday Christian conversation? Most of us are quick to call ourselves Christians, but the term saint feels reserved for ancient icons or legendary heroes of faith. I remember the first time I really thought about this distinction—it was after reading Addison Bevere’s book Saints: Becoming More Than Christians. The book came out at a time when I was pondering what it truly means to be holy and set apart by God. His words challenged me to rethink what it means to be called a saint, not just a Christian. The difference is subtle yet profound, and it’s rooted deep in Scripture and spiritual meaning.
Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 31:23 and Beyond
Psalm 31:23 says, “Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” This verse isn’t just poetic—it’s a calling. Here, God’s people are addressed as saints, not merely believers. The Bible uses the term “saint” in various places, including Colossians 3:3, which reminds us that our life is “hidden with Christ in God.” These passages don’t just describe a title; they frame an identity that goes beyond labels and points to a spiritual reality.
Defining Sainthood: The Origins and Meaning
The word saint comes from the Greek hagios, meaning “holy” or “set apart.” According to Britannica, a saint is “one who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness or likeness to God.” But biblically, sainthood isn’t about being perfect or having a flawless record. It’s about being chosen, set apart, and made holy by God’s grace. The New Testament refers to believers as saints more often than as Christians. This points to a deeper truth: our identity is found not in our achievements, but in being set apart for God’s purposes.
Identity and Transformation: Living Set Apart
The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is the heart of sainthood—dying to our old selves and living a new life in Christ. Being a saint isn’t about status; it’s about transformation. It means allowing God to shape our affections, decisions, and priorities. To be set apart isn’t to be distant or aloof, but to live differently because our lives are anchored in something eternal.
The Restoration of the Church: A Call to Revival
Acts 3:21 speaks of the “restoration of all things,” a promise that God is making everything new. Historically, the Church has gone through cycles of renewal and revival, often sparked by saints who dared to live set apart. Today, as we rediscover our identity as saints, we participate in this ongoing restoration. Spiritual revival isn’t just a distant hope—it’s a reality that begins when ordinary believers embrace their calling to live as saints in their communities.
The Role of Saints: Ministry and Service
Saints aren’t meant to hide away or wait for perfection. Hebrews 6:10 assures us that “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people.” The fivefold gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—are given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Ministry isn’t reserved for the few; it’s the calling of every saint. We serve, love, and bless others not to earn sainthood, but because sainthood is our God-given identity.
Living as Saints: Practical Implications
What does it look like to live as a saint? It’s found in the daily choices: loving our neighbors, serving without recognition, setting our affections “on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Being a saint shapes how we respond to difficulty, how we extend grace, and how we pursue justice. It’s a life marked by love, humility, and service—a life that points others to the hope of Christ.
Conclusion: Embracing Sainthood and Anticipating Revival
As I reflect on Addison Bevere’s challenge to become more than Christians—to embrace our call to be saints—I’m encouraged and inspired. The Church is being restored, one saint at a time, as we step into our true identity. Let’s move beyond labels and live boldly as saints, set apart for God’s glory. The promise of spiritual revival is real, and it starts with us. May we love, serve, and hope with the conviction that we are called to be saints—expecting God to transform us and the world around us.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 