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BIBLICAL SAINTS
Colossians 1:2a
March 3, 10, 2024, Sunday - MBC
Let us talk about the relationship of the believer to God as Saints.
There are differences in comparison between the Roman Catholics understanding and the biblical teaching about saints.
1. Roman Catholic belief: Saints are only in heaven; Bible teaches: Saints are living on earth.
2. Roman Catholic belief: Person does not become a saint unless that person is beatified or canonized by the Pope or prominent bishop; Bible teaches: Everyone who repented from sins and has received Christ by faith is a saint.
3. Roman Catholic belief: Saints are revered, prayed to, worshipped; Bible teaches: Saints are called to revere, worship and pray to God alone.
In our country, Philippines there were two Filipino considered saints by Roman Catholic:
The first Filipino canonized as saint was Lorenzo Ruiz, a married lay Dominican and member of the Rosarian Confraternity in dedication to Our Lady. Lorenzo died as a martyr of faith, during the persecutions in Nagasaki, Japan, where the Japanese rulers organized an anti-clerical campaign. Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila in 1981 and was later canonized at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City in 1987. Twenty-five years later, the title of "saint" was bestowed upon another martyr, Pedro Calungsod. Pedro was then canonized in October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
I – AVOID FALSE BELIEF ABOUT SAINTS There are some false beliefs of religious groups of the so-called saints.
1. There are so called saints who are in heaven and interceding for us but the Bible say that it is Christ who is in heaven and who ever makes intercession for us.
Hebrew 7:24-25 “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”)
2. The honor goes to the dead saints in heaven, instead than giving honor to Christ.
Colossians 1:2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. They place their so called “saint” as a mediator between a person and Christ. They teach that they have to pray to
the so-called saints who will then relay that message to God. Besides, they teach the doctrine that not only do dead people pray for us the living people, but we who are alive we need to pray to dead people.
I Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
4. They convincingly teach people to honor their so-called saints by imitating their godly lives, praying to them, and
showing reverence to images. Praying to these so-called saints in heaven violates the scripture. Pray for the unsaved people who are alive to be saved and to talk to dead people because according to them the dead people will help them somehow.
I Timothy 2:1, 4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
We need only to pray to God alone for deliverance.
Matthew 6:9, 13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
5. They erroneously blasphemed by giving honor the relics and images of their so-called saints.
Exodus 20:1-5 “And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
The Biblical saint is not someone who has been memorialized in a stained-glass window, but is a sinner saved by grace through faith. Whosoever repented from their sins and believed the finished redemptive work of Christ is a saint, a believer, saved, born in family of God, a child of God. II – ALIVE ADDRESEE OF THE LETTER Colossians 1:2 “To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
The term "Christian" is one of the names or title for the people of God is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," and "believers".
In Colossians 1:2 Paul is not writing to the saints who are physically dead and are now in heaven. Paul is clearly addressing the Colossians’ faithful brethren in Christ who were the recipient or addressee of his epistle. For those who do not know what the bible says but indoctrinated in the traditions of men, believe that the saints are not those people who are living normal like we are.
III – ABOUT THE TERM “SAINTS” The term “saint” or “saints” is found in the Bible over 100 times. The term “Saint” used mainly as a synonym for “believer.” The term “Brethren” appears almost 250 times only in the New Testament.
The word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious. Saints means to set apart, one who is sanctified, consecrated, separation.
“Hagios” is almost always used in the plural, “saints.”
There are 67 uses of plural “saints” compare to only one use of the singular word “saint” mentioned in Philippians 4:21 “every saint.”
Acts 9:13 “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:”
Acts 9:32 “And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.”
Acts 26:10 “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.”
Philippians 4:21 “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”
All Christians are saints, the body of Christ, the church (I Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:”). Christians are saints by virtue of their connection with Jesus Christ. Christians are called saints, to increasingly allow their daily life (progressive sanctified) to more closely match their position in Christ (positional sanctification). This is the biblical description and calling of the saints.
Three godly characters of saints:
1. Romans 16:2 “That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” The words “becometh saints” means a manner worthy of the saints.
2. Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Talks of the purpose for maturity of the saints for the service and building up of the body of Christ.
3. Ephesians 5:3 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” Talks about the sinful and evil living that is not proper among the saints.
IV – APART FROM ALL OTHERS The verb form of saint is “sanctify,” which means a saint is simply a person who has been sanctified.
What does sanctify mean?
Sanctification has nothing to do with cleansing or purification. The word “sanctify” has nothing to do with the extinction of evil in the flesh.
Example: God sanctified the Sabbath
Genesis 2:3 “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
The Sabbath does not mean it was dirty and was made clean, what it meant is that the sabbath was put in a special position and that means Sabbath separate from all other days. It was God who did the work of sanctifying the Sabbath. The Sabbath was separate from other days because God declared it to be so.
Did you see any difference between Saturday and every other day? Like every other day, the Sun came up and went down the same, Saturday had the same weather pattern as other days, and like other days including Saturday was still 24 hours. Any observer of all the days would not notice anything special or unusual or different about the Sabbath from any other days. Everyone will never see any celestial halo appeared in the sky during Saturdays.
The Bible shows us that the Jews often did not observe the Sabbath properly or the Jews did not keep the sabbath holy because they bought and sold and went about their daily business as if the day of Saturday were not separate from the other days. So, whatever others thought about Sabbath, it does not matter whether the Jews observe the sabbath or not, God separated the Sabbath from all other days because God sanctified it. In other words, Sabbath or Saturdays was a special unique day as a day set apart to God whether or not people acknowledge it, whether or not people practiced it or whether or not people believe it.
The Sabbath was holy (sanctified) because God set it apart. God sets the Sabbath or Saturday apart from all other days and God puts the Sabbath into a unique position as a day separated unto God. God consecrated the Sabbath day unto His service. The Sabbath was holy (sanctified) because God set it apart.
God later commanded God’s people, the Jewish people to remember to keep the Sabbath holy…to observe the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”. This is the only command of the ten commandments that starts with the word remember. This could mean that the Sabbath command had been given earlier—in fact, God had decreed a Sabbath rest in Exodus 16:22–30. To keep it holy. This four-word phrase in English is only one word in Hebrew “hagiazo”. It means “consecrate,” “set apart,” or “sanctify.” But as we have said, it did matter whether the Jews obeyed God or not, still the Sabbath was holy, because God sanctified it.
V – APPLIED PERSONALLY TO CHRIST The word “sanctify” does not mean to “make pure.”
Jesus Christ “sanctified” Himself (John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”).
Jesus Christ was also sanctified by the Father (John 10:36 “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”).
Of course, since Jesus was sanctified Himself and Jesus was sanctified by His Father does not mean that Jesus had sin that needed to be cleansed or purified. So, therefore what does the word sanctify mean?
When Jesus said “I sanctify myself” and He “whom the Father hath sanctified”, it clearly means Jesus Christ was set apart to a special ministry by the Father and Jesus set Himself apart to that ministry. When Jesus says He and His Father sanctified Him, the Lord Jesus meant He was consecrated to divine service.
VI - AIM TO HONOR AND SERVE GOD Example of Priest in the Old Testament:
The priests in the Old Testament were consecrated to divine service, it means the priests were sanctified. The LORD commanded Moses to consecrate his brother Aaron the priests and his sons and sanctified them to minister in the priesthood office (Exodus 28:41 “And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” However, we must not forget that the Old Testament priests did not always live a consecrated life. But regardless of their lifestyle, they were consecrated to the priesthood. We want to be clear that it was the calling and their position as priests that made them consecrated or sanctified for divine service, it was not the lifestyle of these priests that made them consecrated and sanctified to serve in the priestly office. Is it possible for a priest to have a life that dishonor or disgrace their calling? Yes, priests were anointed and set apart to the priestly service, but they can possibly commit abominable acts in their lifestyles. Although some priests honored God by their consecrated service and godly lives, but like what happened to other priests who were sons of Eli had committed disgrace immoral acts against their calling as a priests (I Samuel 2:12 “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.”). Eli sons Hophni and Phinehas, did not know or regard God, they acted in wicked ways, First, Eli’s sons took a three-pronged fork and ate whatever meat they brought out of the pot when sacrificing an animal, this was in contradiction with the law for priests, who were commanded to eat the breast and upper thigh of the animals (Leviticus 7:30–34). Second, Eli’s sons were sleeping with the women who were dedicated to the service of the tabernacle (I Samuel 2:22). This was against God’s law forbidding adultery (Exodus 20:14). The Priests were consecrated for divine service not because of their lifestyle but because of their calling and position as priests.
VII – ACTION THAT HONOR OR DISHONOR GOD God has a wonderful attribute being holy, infinite, so pure and sinless. Hence, Moses was expected to put God in a special place in the minds and hearts of the people by the faith of Moses, by Moses complete trust in God and by the way Moses lives toward God.
There was a time when Moses smote the rock with his rod twice to bring out water for the congregation and for their beasts in Numbers 20:11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”. This was an act of disobedience to God, who told him to speak to the rock instead, and resulted in Moses and Aaron being barred from entering the promised land. Moses smote the rock, that demonstrates Moses’s lack of faith and lack of reverence toward God. Moses’s action declared that God was not special. So, God rebuked Moses for not sanctifying God.
By all our actions as Christians, we can either sanctify God or bring dishonor to God in the eyes of those people around us. We have to clear this up; our main goal is to sanctify God (progressive sanctification) and not to please everybody and have lots of fun with them. We can sanctify God (progressive sanctification) as our goal in life by our worship, by our reverence or high respect to God we shown toward others, so we set God apart from all other people. To sanctify God is truly a part of our testimony as believers in Christ. We should carefully protect our Christian testimony through people looking at us and those who know us that we are Christian.
VIII – ACTUAL STATE OF BEING SEPARATED The main emphasis of the word “sanctify” is separation. Sanctification means set apart for God’s use.
There are two sides of setting apart:
1. Set apart from (from sin, self, the world, sinful old lifestyle).
2. Set apart to (to God).
IX – ABOUT BELIEVERS POSITION AT SALVATION
A. Sanctified positionally.
The position of every believer as a Saint is positionally sanctified. All born-again believer is a Saint (sanctified).
All believers are Saints regardless whether they are considered elite groups of believers or carnal Christians like the Corinthians brethren.
I Corinthians 1:1-2 “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:”
The lives of these Carnal believers in Corinth were not excessively virtuous, but they were sanctified positionally.
I Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
B. Sanctified at the moment of salvation.
At the moment of our salvation, God sets us believers apart from sin and we are no longer under condemnation, and therefore puts us in a position that is acceptable unto God.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
On the other hand, the unbelieving unsaved sinner, at the moment he was saved by grace through faith in Christ, was separated from his sin, no longer under condemnation, and his old position as an unsaved is separated unto his new status as a saved person. All of this fact implies that new believer, as a newly saved born again is now regenerated, justified, redeemed, and reconciled, etc.
Adam sinned for us and Christ died for us. It is very important to see our history in Adam and to see our history in Christ. It is important to realize that when Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, you were there! In Adam you sinned and you died. Likewise, it is vital to realize that when Christ died on the cross, you were there! The main point of the section is the triumph of God's grace over sin.
Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”). The key phrase is "much more” (Romans 5:15 “much more”; Romans 5: 17 “much more”; Romans 5:20 “much more”). Since what Adam did was significant, how much more significant and greater and important is what Christ did. What Christ did far outweighed and outdistanced what Adam did!
From the past, we are in the world, but now we are in the church, the Body of Christ. Before we were in the family of Satan, but now we are now set apart from that family of the devil and now set apart unto the family of God. At the moment of saving faith, God changes our position, and God set us apart unto God forever. We are sanctified positionally at the moment of salvation.
C. Sanctified once for all.
Once for all we are sanctified positionally.
Hebrews 10:10, 14 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
This positional sanctification is the kind of sanctification never needs to be repeated. It means we are completely and eternally separated unto God. Notice in verse 14, it says that them that are sanctified never need to be positionally sanctified again. (We are talking about positional sanctification not progressive sanctification).
We are positionally sanctified and positional sanctification is the work of God for us not our work for God.
Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Notice the words “by the which will” it means by God’s will, that is God’s choice.
Notice the words “through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.” It means Christ work on our behalf.
Sanctification is the work of God through His Son. The Savior Jesus Christ is our sanctification. Those who are in Christ have been sanctified (separated unto God).
I Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
How do we become sanctified?
We are sanctified by the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood,”
The blood of Christ was shed to redeemed us from all our sins, as payment for and forgiveness of our sins.
Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Colossians 4:17 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Our part is to believe Christ the Savior who redeemed us through His blood, then the Holy Spirit will set us apart unto Himself, will sanctify us, hence we are called Saints.
II Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
If we are sanctified by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Spirit set us apart unto God, then how are we sanctified?
Acts 26:16-18 “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
We are sanctified by faith in Christ who died for our sins, buried and risen from the dead and shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. It means we are sanctified (positionally) not by performing miracles or having exceptionally holy life. It is only by faith, nothing more nothing less.
Based on our discussion: To become a saint is entirely the work of God. As a believer we just do our job to believe Christ as your Savior and God does the work of saving and sanctifying. Sanctification is based upon the shed blood of Christ. The Holy Spirit sets the believing sinner apart unto God when he believes the gospel of Christ. Now, the person who believe the gospel and got saved that is set apart by the Spirit is a Saint. Sanctification is entirely the work of God. Like any aspect of our great salvation, personal sanctification is not earned or merited, we are sanctified personally as a grace gift through faith and no other way.
Correction for false beliefs: Some teaches that a person become a saint by trying to live a godly life, life of sacrifice, life doing good works (Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”), then they wrongly teach that God will finally reward them of all their good deeds, godliness, holiness later at the end of their earthly life at the moment they enter heaven. In contrast, a person becomes a saint the very moment he repented of all his sins then receives Jesus by putting his faith in Christ as personal Savior and become a new creature in Christ by being born again. God promises that by putting our faith in the finish redemptive work on the cross, He will save us eternally. God positionally sanctifies once and for all.
The promised new position to a believer:
1. Separated from the life in Adam to a new position in Christ.
2. Separated from being condemned to being justified.
3. Separated from darkness to light
4. Separated from being a child of the devil to a child of God
5. Separated from being spiritual dead to being spiritual alive in Christ.
Ephesians 2:1,5 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;”
As individuals Christian, we are all saints. As a church, the body of Christ, we are called to as a holy nation or a nation of saints, and a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”). What an awesome position we have in our relationship with Christ!
D. Sanctified as Priests anointed by the Spirit for God’s service.
Since Christians as New Testament believers are priests, they were also consecrated to divine service by an anointing of the Holy Spirit at the moment of their salvation like that of the Old Testament priests who were consecrated to divine service by the anointing. This means that the New Testament priests, believers in Christ or born-again Christians set apart unto God for divine service. All believers are called to God’s service as priests. The Bible speaks nothing about clergy and laity.
We must be reminded that all believers in Christ, or Christians, whether they are male or female, young or old, new believer or mature believer is a consecrated priest before God.
I Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Hence, our entire Christian life as New Testament believers are sacred, for whatever we do as a priest is to be done for the glory of God.
We as priests, are set apart by God to God’s service through sanctification. So, our lives are no longer ours, because our lives are devoted to God and to God’s service. Part of our sanctification is our consecration which means our dedication to God’s service.
As consecrated priests, believers are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, present our bodies in God’s service for the glory of God (Romans 12:1). The presenting of our ourselves as a priest is our personal responsibility.
At the moment of our saving faith, God set us apart to God’s service as He made us kings and priests (positional sanctification). Putting into practice that responsibility as a consecrated priests daily in our lives. It is not once and for all but rather it is to be an ongoing attitude of mind and heart, yielded and surrendered and ready to serve Christ, moment by moment, day by day (progressive sanctification).
As consecrated priests, our lives ought to be commensurate with the position to which we have called as a saint (positional sanctification). We are to live every moment of every day in that attitude of yielding to God, fully surrender to God (progressive sanctification). We have to present the members of our body to God for His use and service.
As a consecrate priests, we must live the life of a saint, that is one set apart from self, from sin and set apart unto God’s service. Knowing and believing that we are set apart for divine service as a priest (positionally sanctified), this will change us forever. It will transform our service for God from duty to a glorious privilege, from loneliness to a joyous service, from a burden to a delight.
X – ALWAYS CALLED SAINTS, WE LIVE OR NOT TO OUR CALLING
Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Notice Paul says, “called to be saints”, it means believers in Christ are called saints, whether we live up to our calling or not, we are saints by calling and not so much by practice.
Like Paul we are not born saints, nor do we become saints through our own power, but we are "called saints", called by grace ("calling grace").
The term “called” that means called to some office. Saints are called as divinely selected and appointed. It is God alone who calls men or appointed men to the position as a saint at the moment of salvation. It is God who calls not any man who canonized dead man. It is not a dead man that is conferred by a man, but is a calling from God Himself.
The words “to be” is not in the original. It would better render “beloved of God, called saints”. Men and women are first “beloved” of the Lord, and then “called” His saints. We are not called because we are saints or because we were so lovely, but we are saints because we are called.
It is literally those who are "called saints" or "called set apart ones". Saints now have a great, God glorifying purpose as those who have been set apart and that purpose is to live holy lives in the midst of a wholly unholy world that others might see glimpses of the glory of the unseen God (Matthew 5:16).
The words “saints” signifies that we Christians were called to the office or position of a saint. Therefore “Sainthood” is our sacred calling.
I Thessalonians 4:7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Christians are called to holiness not called unto uncleanness. That is sanctification or sainthood.
Paul notes the that we are not called for impurity (uncleanness) in which Paul reminds us we are called in sanctification (holiness). Believers are not to maintain purity not merely from fear of the judgment of God, but also because we have been granted entrance into God’s purpose for all His children to be holy as He is holy (I Peter 1:16).
Not all saints understand or appreciate their sacred calling that is why Paul is praying for the saints in Ephesians that God would open the eyes of these Ephesians believers that they might know what the glorious hope of their calling and their marvelous inheritance as saints is.
Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”
Physical eyes cannot see, or physical ears cannot hear these deeper truths. They are revealed only to those who love Him. One cause of immaturity in the church at Corinth was reliance on feelings above knowledge. Many believers were more interested in doing what felt right than in doing what God declared to be right. Instead of their emotions being controlled by God’s truth, their emotions distorted their understanding of His truth.
In the prison prayers of Paul (Ephesians 1:15–23; Ephesians 3:14–21; Philippians 1:9–11; Colossians 1:9–12), we discover the blessings that Paul wanted his converts to enjoy. Paul does not request in these prison prayers material things for them. Paul emphasis in his prison prayers is on spiritual perception and real Christian character. Paul does not ask God to give them what they do not have, but rather prays that God will reveal to them what they already have and that is God’s calling as saints. Spiritual understanding of our high calling as saints in Christ results in a worthy walk! (Colossians 1:9-10 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”) In verse 9, Paul prayed for spiritual intelligence and in verse 10 Paul prayed for practical obedience. XI – APPOINTED RESPONSIBILITY AS A SAINT: A. Responsibility to walk worthy of our calling. As we are called “saints” we must not only know about the glorious hope of our calling and inheritance as saints (Ephesians 1:18) but we need to walk worthy of our high calling.
Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
The word “vocation” is the same word as “calling” in Ephesians 1:18, and the same word as “called saints” in I Cor.1:2. After Paul teaching the believers of their high calling as saints, Paul challenges these saints to walk worthy of their calling. Paul is telling them to live like a saint (progressive sanctification).
Paul gives the description of the calling of saint in Christ in Ephesians 1 to 3 and in Ephesians 4 is the demonstration of their calling as saint. Notice the word “worthy” in Ephesians 4:1 that is “axios” which means “equal weight”. Therefore, it is about God’s calling on a person and the conduct should be in balance with that calling. Walk is on one side and calling on the other side of the "scales". Paul is saying in essence, I implore you to let your walk be balanced by your calling. Paul is exhorting them to demonstrate a balance between their profession (positional sanctification) and their practice (progressive sanctification). Our profession is we are Christians. Our practice is we live like Christ. And the only way to "balance" our profession and practice is to renounce self-reliance and rely wholly on the Holy Spirit to give us the desire and power to live like Jesus.
Notice the phrase “Ye walk (peripateo) worthy (axíōs) of the vocation (klesis) wherewith ye are called” - Here "klesis" refers to the divine call by which Christians are introduced into the privileges of the gospel. Christians have been called and that indicates this calling is not related to their effort but only to their "reception" or their hearing of the call being supernaturally enabled.
In the context of Ephesians which emphasizes Jew and Gentile in one body, to walk worthy entails both groups behaving in a united way despite their racial/ethnic/custom differences.
Rather than whipping and beating his readers into subjection to God through legalism, Paul chose to point his readers to Christ and His finished work on the cross and to its marvelous results: our high calling in Christ!
If we meditate heartily on this high calling of ours in Christ, then if we are going to study more about our high calling in His Word, then let that sink in, the height, the length, the depth and the breadth of the love of God for us demonstrated in our calling, we will begin walking a high and worthy walk of our high calling as a saint, not because we have to but because we want to. Amen!
B. Responsibility to manifest the Christlike attitude.
The Believer’s calling as a saint is high and heavenly in Ephesians 4:2-3. Hence, our walk as a believer of Christ should be the same, should be equal in balance our calling as a saint.
Ephesians 4:1-3 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Here, Paul describes our Christlike attitude as a believer in whatsoever way God send His love. We walk worthy by allowing the indwelling life of Christ to be manifested through our mortal members. That is the way of God’s grace. We walk not in order to obtain a calling to sainthood, but rather we are to walk a worthy walk (progressive sanctification) because God has already called us to this position as a saint (positional sanctification). That is God’s grace.
C. Responsibility to be holy in practice. We are called saints, means holy ones because we are separated unto God (sanctified, set apart unto God)
I Peter 1:15 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”
The Holy position in Christ carries with it certain responsibilities. We are therefore responsible to be holy in practice (progressive sanctification), not merely be holy in position.
The Corinthians believers were saints but did not behave very saintly, they are the examples of what not to be as saints.
In our text in I Peter 1:15, Peter said “be ye holy”, he is emphasizing to be saintly (progressive sanctification) because we are saints (positional sanctification). Since that we are sons of God and God is holy, so God’s sons should be holy, it means a reflection of the Holy God.
When we believers who are saints behave like the lifestyle of the unsaved people of the world, we then have a very poor testimony because they do not see the light and glorify not God.
A person who are followers of Christ, has been called out of the world and has been called unto God therefore Christians ought to be different. Christians must be separated and love not the system of the world.
If God is going to be our God, then we need to act like people of God and separate ourselves from those things that pull us away. As God’s people we are set apart from the world and set apart unto God. All of us have experienced the tug of the world that pulls us away from God’s way.
A believer must be a faithful follower of God as a beloved child of God (Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”). Do not let sinful practices be once named among you as is fitting saints (Ephesians 5:3,4 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”). These listed sinful practices of Paul are not fitting or proper to a saint, so we must walk worthy of our highest calling. There is some kind of behavior that may not necessarily sinful in itself, but it is not fitting or proper for a saint. Avoid.
Expected Behavior of those called Saints of God:
1. Behavior as becometh of holiness.
Titus 2:3 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;”
Older women are to be respectable in their behavior, stay away from gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, model and good example and teacher of what is good.
2. Dress adornment as becometh of the godliness with good works
I Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
This describes what fitting for a woman to adorn themselves in respectable clothing with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire but with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works. The dress code has a great impact fitting for a saint.
3. Lifestyle as becometh of the gospel of Christ
Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
Paul tells the Philippians brethren to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that they may stand firm in one spirit, with their mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. As Christ died for our sins and risen again, Saints must be dead in our old sinful life and alive unto God.
4. Treatment of other believers as becometh saints
Romans 16:2 “That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
Paul teaches that we need to treat fellow brethren in a way worthy of the saints, by helping those who helped others.
If our behavior, our way of dressing, our way of living, and our way treating other believers is not becometh saints, or not worthy as saints, then perhaps we need to make some changes. The point we are talking about as becometh saints is not a matter of law or legalism but a matter being in tune with Cod, being close to Christ, and desiring Christlikeness be manifested through our lives.
- Unbecoming saints in our expressions or words we speak
- Unsuitable for a saint in the places we go
- Unfitted for a saint the books we read
- Unfitted for a saint the activities we involved in (may not be evil or wrong but not fitting for a saint)
- Fitting for a saint to be involved in but we are not: praying before eating, serving in church ministries, witnessing to others about the gospel of Christ.
We truly love the written exhortations of Paul as the Holy Spirit addresses us as children of God (Ephesians 5:1), then being full-grown sons of God as a saint to walk worthy of so high calling (Ephesians 4:1). Wrong religious false views say, “you need to do this, to have to perform this and follow this that you might become a saint one day.” But the Bible says, “By grace through faith you are already a saint, and now start to walk worthy.” The purpose we need to walk worthy as saints is not to obtain a spiritual blessing from God, is not to have eternal life, and is not to become a saint. Rather, the believers are exhorted to a worthy walk out of gratitude for the sanctified position that God has already given us because Christ dwelleth in us. |