“Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…” (Psalm 31:23) The Scriptures define a saint differently than most people. We tend to save the label for those we deem as super-spiritual, or for those who have accomplished many good works for God’s Kingdom. If you are Roman Catholic, a person must go through a rigorous examination after they die to become a saint. (Too bad the person is not around to enjoy the elevation.)
In the Scriptures, the designation of a saint is simple. It means “one who is sanctified or holy.” Now, before we begin getting our measuring sticks out for the judging contest, let us consider that every one of us—you and me—have sinned and we continually fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) So, our self-appointed halo needs to come off our sense of worthiness and we should cast it at the foot of the Cross.
But, there is good news! All who have repented of their sin and turned to Christ are declared ‘Holy’ by and through the finished work of Christ on Calvary’s cross. Holiness is the result of our sin being placed upon Jesus, and His righteousness being imputed to us—freely! That means, if we are God’s child, then we are saints. At salvation, God declares us saints. Even more of a reason for us to walk as children of light before a dark and evil society.
I read a story where a mother took her daughter to a church service that was in a large cathedral. The sanctuary had high stained glass windows with elaborate and beautiful depictions of Bible characters on them. The magical glow through the windows caught the young daughter’s attention. She asked her mother, “Mom, who are those people in the windows?” The mother replied, “Well, honey, those are saints.” The little girl’s eyes opened wide as she proclaimed, “Now I understand. Saints are people who let the light shine through them!”
Sometimes, we have a way of complicating truths that are not that complicated. If we can’t explain the gospel to a six-year-old, we don’t properly understand it ourselves. The greatest task for a teacher or pastor is to take that which is theologically complicated, distill it down to the language of everyday man, and explain it in the language of his audience.
What is our responsibility as God’s children—His saints? To let the light of God’s truth shine through us; to be a guide to the blind, hope for the outcast, life to those who are dead, encouragement to those hurting, and an oasis for those brokenhearted. We will not do it perfectly, but we have the perfect God shining His perfect love through us. Like the little girl looking at the stained glass window… Let the light shine through!
