Becoming a Saint

Roman Catholic Church definition of "SAINT": A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated) a high level of holiness and sanctity in an exemplary life of virtuous behaviour. Such a person is often (but not always) recognized after their death by other human beings as someone who lived a divine life and who is in the Divine presence even in death.

So, it would seem by this definition the only way to become a saint is to live an exemplary holy life (even referred to as a divine life) while on this earth. Then, usually after your death someone will remember all the deeds you have done and ask that you be made a saint.

Let's look at who God calls saints in the Bible.

"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" Philippians 1:1

"Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household." Philippians 4:21-22

"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." Colossians 1:2

Just looking at these few verses we see that the saints are alive. We see clearly from God's word that sainthood happens while a person is still alive; not after their death.

"Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to they saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." Acts 9:13-14

Saul, later to be called Paul (after he turns to Christ for salvation), was persecuting the saints in Jerusalem. We see in Scripture that Paul was throwing them into prison and doing all manner of evil things to them. He thought he was doing right because he did not believe that Jesus was God. He thought these saints were blasphemous because they called on the name of Jesus. We know that later Saul has a conversion experience on the Road to Damascus where he finally realizes that Jesus is God.

"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 theirs and ours:" 1 Corinthians 1:2

We see in this passage that saints were ones who "call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord." So according to God, a saint is one that calls upon Jesus. Let's see what else the Bible says about someone who calls upon the name of Jesus:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture sayeth, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:9-13

We see that a person who calls upon the name of Jesus is referred to as a "saved" person. This is a person who has believed that they need the Lord Jesus as their Saviour from sin and have called upon Him for salvation. So, we see that God's definition of a saint is someone who has seen their lost condition and has turned to Jesus for salvation.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, not effieminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, not covetous, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Wow! What a list! This passage of Scripture is in the book of Corinthians; addressed to the saints at Corinth, as mentioned in some of the previous verses above. This list doesn't sound very "saintly" does it? Let's read the next verse:

"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." 1 Corinthians 6:11

God says, "Such WERE some of you!" These saints once fit in that list of horrible sins, but something happened that made them saints. God says, "but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified." Not by good works they did or by living holy, but "in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We see that a saint isn't someone who lives holy and attains sainthood by their own works, but rather someone who is a rotten sinner that comes to Jesus and claims HIS righteousness through salvation. The Bible says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." There will be no boasting in Heaven. No Christian will stand above another. Jesus Christ is the only One who will receive glory, and no man will be able to boast in his own good works getting him to heaven.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" Ephesians 4:11-12

These verses show us that apostles (which we people who saw Christ after He arose...none of which are alive today), prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are given to us for several reasons. Let us look at the first reason, for the perfecting of the saints. Now, this perfect means "complete." Someone who is complete in Christ; really grounded in the faith. We see that saints need to be taught and that they are not perfect as they live on this earth, but are learning to be complete in Christ. So we see that God's definition of a saint is not someone who is perfect in this life (living a divine life), but someone who is learning to be complete in Christ. Someone who is saved from sin by trusting Jesus Christ's righteousness alone.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:18

In this verse we see that we're supposed to pray for all saints. Basically we're to pray for one another. God's definition of saint differs greatly from the Roman Catholic church definition of a saint. In the Roman Catholic church, people pray TO saints, not for them. God tells us that every person who has trusted Christ is a saint and we are to pray for one another.

I just felt that I should share this with everyone. If you really want to know what God has to say, read the Bible. Don't read a book that's been altered by man, but read His word and listen to what He has to say. One day when we all stand before Him we will have no excuse. He has given us His word and expects us to read it.

Realize that you are a sinner. It's not too hard, is it? We all do wrong every day, and the Bible tells us that when we do wrong we're sinning against God Himself. God is holy and can't accept someone who has sin. That's why He sent His son, Jesus, to pay for our sin on the cross and raised Him from the dead. Now we can come to the living Saviour and just tell him about how we need Him. Just tell Him we trust His payment for our sin. Then we will be right in the eyes of God, not condemned and unashamed. We'll be saints according to God's definition.