by Richard Mansel

Are you a saint?

The term "saint" is used more of children of God than any other name from Acts through Revelation. Saint(s) is used 60 times while disciple(s) is used 26 times and Christian(s), 3 times. Yet it is rarely ever used in our culture because it has developed negative connotations.

Some in the religious world believe that "saints" are a special group of people who are holier than all other Christians. The process involves being thoroughly examined and approved for sainthood. Beatification is where someone has performed a miracle during their life. The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "The Catholic Church canonizes or beatifies only those whose lives have been marked by the exercise of heroic virtue, and only after this has been proved by common repute for sanctity and by conclusive arguments."

Sainthood is finally reached when someone has performed two posthumous miracles. When the person attains sainthood, Catholics pray to them, because Jesus is not their sole intercessor, or advocate, to carry their prayerful requests to God. Saints carry their prayers to God alongside Jesus.

The problem is that there is not a shred of evidence in Scripture for this doctrine. Instead of Scriptural proof, we are directed to the doctrine of Papal Infallibility, which also fails to have any Scriptural precedent. This is too important to take someone's word for it.

"Saint" simply means someone who is "holy, sanctified, set apart." The word "church" means the "called out." Therefore, we are called out of the world when we become a child of God and are separated, sanctified, and holy. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:2, "to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (NKJV). Peter writes, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15,16). Finally, the Hebrews writer said, "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).

The Catholic model says that "saints" are a special subset of Christians. I would propose the following problems with this theory.

First, it would require saints to be dead. Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and 2 Corinthians are specifically written to saints. Why would Paul write letters to dead people? Since they are only written to saints, were the other Christians responsible for their contents?

Second, why were Ananias and the other Christians so afraid of Paul (Saul) after his conversion? Ananias said, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13). Apparently, by the Catholic model, Paul (Saul) had no intention of sending average Christians to their death but only saints who were dead in heaven. Therefore, the early church had nothing to fear of Paul, and Peter and the apostles should have just pointed this out.

We do not become a saint by canonization but by being baptized for the remission of our sins. In Ephesians 1:1, we find that "saints" are those who are "in Christ." The only way Scripture ever says we can get "into Christ" is through baptism (Romans 6:3,4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). Grace allows us to come to Christ and will save us in the end, but our sins are washed away in baptism.

Saint is a glorious word that we must reposition in its proper place. Saints are set part from the world, not other Christians (John 17:14-17). Saints are blessed in innumerable, distinct ways that loudly proclaim the passionate love of God (Isaiah 40:27-31; John 14:1-6).

by Don Ruhl

Read First Timothy Chapter 5

As Paul discusses which widows the church should support financially, he says,

5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day (1 Tim. 5:5, NKJV).

What a blessing a congregation has, if it has widows who give themselves to prayers endlessly. The church or members can give these widows prayer requests at anytime, and as the members go about their business, they know that there are some ladies who are constantly approaching the throne of Almighty God with prayers. Let us pray for widows who will give themselves to this great work.

by Don Ruhl

Thus says the LORD:

"Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" (Jer. 6:16, NKJV).

The paths may be ancient, but if the ways in the word of God are true, then age does not matter. Some abandon a teaching because it is old and others accept a teaching because it is old. Still others abandon a teaching because it is new and others accept a teaching because it is new.

Since man is a creation, and has not evolved, then he is the same today as he was in the beginning. Moreover, since he is a creation, the Creator from the beginning has shown the way of life, rest and peace. His revelation to man is complete. Therefore, His revelation the Scriptures provide total instruction for life, rest and peace. When your soul is troubled, search His word, follow what you discover and you will find rest for your souls.

Do not think that because it is old, it is worn out, irrelevant and useless. Do not think that because something is new it is fresh, relevant and useful. The test is not whether something is old or new, but whether the God above endorses it and whether His Son Jesus Christ lived it. If it is found in His Son, then it has been around a long time, making it old, but if you have just discovered it, then it is new to you. Either way it is powerful to show the way of living that leads to rest for the soul.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Timothy Chapter 4

What I was formerly and what God wants me to become is so different, plus the power of His word to effect that change is so awesome, that my change, that is, my spiritual growth and progress should be obvious that others can see it. To make the growth obvious, apply Paul's words,

15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all (1 Tim. 4:15, NKJV).

Take time daily to meditate on what you have read in the Scriptures. Let the meditation change over into action, that is, the changing of your personality, as you become less of yourself and more of Jesus Christ. If you do that, there is no doubt that others will notice it.

by Don Ruhl

Read Jeremiah 3-5

We may impress ourselves, and others, when we give God 90% of our hearts. God is not impressed, unless we are still on the journey of getting closer to Him, but if 90%, or some other figure, is as far as we intend to go, that simply will not cut it. God does not deal with us half-heartedly.

Israel committed idolatry and God punished the nation for it. After watching this, Judah did not learn what God wants. Judah turned to God somewhat, but not all the way. Therefore, the Lord says,

10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense, says the LORD (Jer. 3:10, NKJV).

As you go through your day, ask yourself whether you are consumed by your relationship with God.