Think on These
Things
by Tom McLemore
Question: “Dear Sir, As I read the Bible, I
notice that there is a great deal said about saints. I don’t think of myself as
a saint. What does it mean to be a saint?”
Answer:
The word “saint” is part of a complex
of important ideas in the scriptures centering upon the idea of “set apart.” Whatever and whoever is set apart is called “holy.”
In the case of human beings, those set apart are called “saints.” The process of setting apart is called “sanctification.” The Father is designated holy, as are the
Son (Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27, 30) and the Spirit.
God sanctifies those who respond to his call in the gospel (1
Corinthians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:14).
Therefore, every person who has obeyed the gospel of Christ is a saint, that is, set apart for God. The Christian life may be summarized as the
work of the Holy Spirit in helping saints to behave according to what God has
done in setting us apart for him (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2) by means
of belief and obedience of the truth.
The basic activity saints perform in sanctification is to sanctify
Christ as Lord in their hearts (1 Peter 3:15).
Address questions to tommclemore@juno.com
Designed and maintained by Houston Park Church of Christ Copyright © 2000 by Houston Park Church of Christ 2 Crescent Hill Drive Selma, Alabama 36701 334-874-7941. All rights reserved. Revised: 10 Dec 2007.