Posted on 02/06/2023 3:00:15 AM PST by metmom
"To all the saints in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:1). Every Christian is a saint.
Many people think of saints as men and women who are especially holy or who have been canonized by an official church body. Usually only those who have been long dead and have extraordinary religious accomplishments to their credit qualify.
God, however, has a different perspective on sainthood. Paul called the Corinthian believers saints (1 Cor. 1:2) then went on for many chapters correcting their sinful practices. He called the Roman, Ephesian, and Colossian believers saints but they weren't perfect either.
What then qualifies someone as a saint? The answer is in Philippians 1:1: "To the saints in Christ Jesus" (emphasis added). That's the criterion. Sainthood is not reserved for the spiritually elite. It belongs to every believer because every believer is in Christ Jesus.
If you love Christ you also are a saint. That might come as a surprise to those who know you best, but it's true nonetheless!
The hallmark of sainthood is holiness. In fact, the Greek word translated "saints" in Philippians 1:1 (hagios) literally means "holy ones." It is used throughout the New Testament to speak of anyone or anything that represents God's holiness: Christ as the Holy One of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father, holy Scriptures, holy angels, holy brethren, and so on.
To God, you are holy and beloved in Christ (Col. 3:12). You have received a saintly calling (1 Cor. 1:2) and a saintly inheritance (Col. 1:12). You have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14), and every other spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
With that privilege comes the responsibility of living a holy life. That's why Scripture admonishes you to present your body as a living and holy sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) and to live in a manner worthy of your saintly status (Eph. 5:3).
The power for godly living is the Holy Spirit, who indwells you. As you yield to Him through prayer and obedience to God's Word, the characteristics of a true saint become increasingly evident in your life. Make that your commitment today.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for choosing you as one of His holy ones.
Pray that your life will be a consistent testimony to the reality of true sainthood.
For Further Study
What are the privileges and responsibilities of saints as outlined in Psalm 34?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Yesterday morning at our Sunday worship service the Pastor did something wonderful. After his sermon where he had so eloquently reminded us of the fact that though we are all sinners, through Grace our Lord, Jesus Christ’ as the sacrificial Lamb has redeemed us.
Then, before beginning his usual monthly (1st Sunday of each month) Communion observance, he asked us all to spend five minutes speaking privately to God, confessing, and accepting His forgiveness, then we would all approach the table to receive the bread and wine with a more joyous heart rather than our usual somewhat solemn way.
The Elders were at the front by the table, and as each of us came forward we were greeted by name with, “receive this bread representing Christ’s body broken for YOU”, and then “drink this wine representing Christ’s blood shed for YOU”. There was a remarkable additional excitement and gladness among us as we shared the joy with the Lord as we truly glorified Him knowing we are “saints”.
The popes put themselves above God. The fathers put themselves on equal footing as God thinking they have the power to forgive sins
God has already paid the price. Drinking his blood and eating his flesh is grotesque
Even in churches where communion is celebrated once a month, it can become routine and meaningless.
It’s always good to do something once in a while to shake us out of our lethargy.
This is bound to trigger some folks, that are not of the Protestant persuasion, complaining about the 'caucus' designation of this thread.
The power for godly living is the Holy Spirit, who indwells you. As you yield to Him through prayer and obedience to God’s Word, the characteristics of a true saint become increasingly evident in your life. Make that your commitment today.
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Thank you Lord Jesus for sending us your Helper. Help me make this my commitment today and every day. Amen.
I just want to clear things up because it seems you both might have misunderstood what I was saying.
Roving, I totally agree with you that actually eating flesh and drinking blood is gross!
And Elsie, I agree with you that Roman Catholics might be triggered, but this is a Protestant Caucus, so Catholics need not be here.
At Communion service we are NOT eating the flesh, nor drinking the blood! As I said in my post, the bread and the wine is in remembrance of What Christ said at the Last Supper. We go forward to receive the elements partly because since Covid people feel more comfortable in not passing around the plates that hold the bread and little cups of wine. Instead the Elders hold the serving plates as we pass by one at a time. Our Pastor has been trying to make Holy Communion more meaningful and more personal and more of a joyous celebration of the joy we share in a very personal relationship with The Lord. And I must say it is working.
A Catholic note: the Catholic Church holds that everyone in heaven is a saint, including the angels (St. Michael, for instance). To be officially recognized as a saint (proving the saint is in heaven) calls for one or more miracles - usually as medically inexplicable healings - to be witnessed here among the faithful as a sign that the saint has found favor with God who does the actual healing. St. Padre Pio was credited with interceding with God to heal many people while he was alive.
But “being a saint” should be everyone’s goal, right?
Peace.
Actually, should not post on it.
If someone wants to debate or discuss these issues, they are free to post any open thread on the topic and invite the discussion.
These devotionals are posted for teaching and encouragement, not for debate over theological differences.
Also, aside from the caucus designation, the devotional tag prohibits debate as well and yet I see BOTH of these being regularly ignored and not just on this particular thread but on a regular basis..
And Elsie, it does no good to go poking the hive with a stick.
Religion Forum guidelines......https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/
As per the Religion Moderators homepage.
Religion Forum threads labeled “Caucus”
Caucus threads are closed to any poster who is not currently and actively a member of the caucus group.
For instance, if it says “Catholic Caucus” and you are not currently, actively Catholic, then do not post to the thread.
However, if the poster of the caucus invites you, I will not boot you from the thread.
The “caucus” article and posts must not compare beliefs or speak in behalf of a belief outside the caucus.
There is little to no tolerance for non-members of a caucus coming onto the caucus thread to challenge whether or not it should be a caucus. Gross disruption usually follows.
If you question whether the article is appropriate for a caucus designation, send me a Freepmail. I'll get to it as soon as I can.
For Devotional threads.....
Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional:” Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.
Even serpents know when to bite - and when to slither away.
For me; it depends on how long my stick is!
;^)
By dragging in other religions, it breaks the caucus designation and allows them to respond and ignore it, too.
Please, don’t do it any more.
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