Are you a saint?  Maybe your initial reaction is to quickly deny that you are a saint – there is nothing special about your Christian life.  But what is a saint? 

All true Christian believers are saints.  The term does not simply apply to persons of exceptional holiness.  It does not apply just to those who have died and had extraordinary Christian accomplishments in their life.  See how the word “saint” is used in the following scriptures.  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, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”  Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”  Philippians 4:21-22 “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.”  Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

The word translated as saint is essentially the same word as holy.  To be a saint is to be holy.  But are you holy?  You know that God the Father is holy.  And then there is the Holy Spirit.  What does it mean to be holy?  The word holy essentially means to be “separated” – separated from sin and the world and therefore consecrated to God.  To be a saint is not something you attain.  It is a state of holiness unto which God calls men and women.  1 Peter 1:15-16 “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 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  2 Tim 1:8-9 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”  You have been saved by the grace of God to be separated from sin and the world – to be holy – to be a saint.

Since you are called by God to be holy and to be a saint, this determines how you should live your life.  1 Peter 2:4-5 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:3-4 “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  2 Peter 3:10-11 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.”  Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

I encourage you to be holy.  Separate yourself from the evil actions and sin of the world and be consecrated to God.  Be the saint that you should be.