The Truth About The Saints
fter
the book of Acts the followers of Christ are called (Hageeos), saints
over 59 times. The word implies Holiness. Paul wrote to all in Rome who
are loved by God and called to be saints. People well say that we are
positionally saints but should not expect to be so practically, yet in
Romans 1:5 two verses before this verse Paul said he received Grace and
apostleship to call people from among all the gentiles to the obedience
that comes from faith. That call directly parallels the call to be saints.
This is what I ask? Can you here the call does his word burn in your heart,
well you take him at his word.
In
Ephesians 5 It declares:
"Be Imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children live a life of Love .... it goes on and say's but among you there mustn't even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed because these are improper for God's holy people."
These
things are not normal for God's holy people (for his saints) it is not
normal for us to live as sinners it is proper for us to live as saints.
The Greek word is Hageeos translated as saints or God's Holy people. It
connotations pure blameless or ceremonially consecrated, our word saint.
Paul goes on to say "we are the children of light.... "we should bear
the fruit of righteousness." Can you see we've been saved, and we should
live like it. "Make the most of every opportunity because the day's are
evil. Don't be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is."
Carnal Saints
The
main objection against this is as follows, the Corinthians were called
saints but were carnal. Thus they say we are positionally called saints
but can not be so practically. I am not at odds with the teaching that
we are positionally righteous but I am at odds with those that seem to
imply that carnality (practical unrighteousness) is normal for the believer.
It is true they were carnal but Paul went to great lengths to correct
them.
He
called them worldly mere infants in Christ, he said there was division
jealousy and quarreling among them, he said they were acting like mere
men. Paul was not stating that it is normal or expected that those who
are called saints would live worldly lives. Genuine believers don't remain
carnal infants. He gave them a message that we should all take very seriously
"come back to your senses and stop sinning as you ought some of you are ignorant of God I say this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15:34
Isn't
this the state of our church today there's immorality a divorce rate that
rivals the world division jealousy quarreling corruption some churches
have become a soap opera. And what do our ministers preach what do they
say? Are they praying and laboring in the example of Paul? Tragically
the answer all to often is no. There certainly is a lot of preaching,
a lot of books being written but are they telling people to stop sinning
no there telling people they have to sin, they are telling people it is
normal and expected. There positionally in error and practically trying
to rob the Church of holiness.
With
Great concern Paul wrote First Corinthians in 56 A.D. He had heard about
the problems and he was moved to speak pointedly and strongly. Over and
over Paul warns them about the horrible consequences of there sin. He
told them not to even associate with anyone who calls himself a brother
but is sexually immoral or greedy , an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard
or a swindler. He said expel the wicked man from among you. The Apostle
never made any allusion to the outrageous Idea that it is normal for a
Christian to live as a sinner. The verses that they try to misuse will
be discussed in another section.
Paul
also spoke many words of encouragement. be on your guard, be strong, stand
firm in the faith, be men of courage, do everything in love. After this
letter the Corinthians still refused to repent. he then made a hurried
and painful visit which still did not resolve things yet he didn't give
up. He then wrote a severe and sorrowful letter, now lost but referred
to in 2 Corinthians 2:4. It was only after this visit that he could write
2 Corinthians, joyfully acknowledging their repentance.
Such Good Lives
The
belief that Christians still can't help but live a sinful lifestyle is
so prevalent it seems odd to many to consider were called to be saints
God's holy people. I've witnessed to people on the street who are under
the impression that Christians are all hypocrites who sin all week.
They think that the only thing different between us is
that we get dressed up on Sunday mornings and go to church. I've heard
Christians respond to this by saying well were all just Sinners. I say
yes many are hypocrites, but that doesn't give you an excuse for rejecting
Christ, if you know someone's doing something wrong you should tell them
and be an example to them. There is a fundamental difference between a
Christian and a unbeliever the Christian lives to Glorify God, the sinner
rejects God's claim on his life and lives to please himself. The same
argument was posed to the first century believers, Peter didn't say tell
them were just sinners, he exhorted them to:
"live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12.
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
Considering
the numerous times we are called saints or called righteous, I make a
plea. From now on well you rightly divide the word of truth in this area?
Well you guard yourself against making the impression we are to continue
walking as the sinners do. Jesus said feed my sheep feed them no more
excuses, no more lies. In Christ we are justified, we are righteous may
we live like it. We are called to live a life worthy of the Gospel, we
are called to live a life of love. Sinners are called to forsake there
evil ways.
"There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents then over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:7
"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the
salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for
the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men
whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in
among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into
a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and
Lord." Jude 3-4
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar
of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:'Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give
him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made
herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.' (Fine
linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" Rev 19:6-8
"Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you
who hope in the LORD."
Ps 31:23-24
