THE CHARACTER OF SAINTS

By Buddy J. Duncan

            The word “saint” appears five times in three verses; (Psa. 106:16), (Dan. 8:13) and (Phil. 4:21).  I find it interesting that the words “saints” may be found ninety six times in ninety five verses of your Bible. This suggests to me that the emphasis is in the plural by the wisdom of God. He tells me that there is more than one saint and that we should all aspire to become a “saint”. Although there is some controversy in the religious world today over who is a “saint” and how one becomes a “saint” it is clear to me that our Creator would have us to be a “saint”.

When Paul addressed his epistle to the Colossians he calls them “saints”. Was he not writing to those who had obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are such not also called “Christians”? When you read about the character of a Christian are you not also reading about the character of a “saint”? God intends for us to be “saints”! Why would God inspire Paul to address an epistle to the “saints” if He did not want us to become a “saint?” Let us examine some of the information of God’s Word that concerns the character of Christians or “saints”.

           We find Paul giving thanks for those to whom he was writing an epistle: (Col. 1:3) "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you," In the very next verse he tells us why he was thankful for them: (Col 1:4) "Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints," First, he was thankful for their “faith” and then he adds that he was thankful for the love that they had for the “saints”. Would this not be “saints” that were faithful and “saints” loving other “saints”? First and foremost “saints” are faithful. You cannot be a “saint” if you are not faithful; nor can you be a “saint” if you don’t love other “saints”. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life and may also be defined as characteristics of a saint. Love is a teaching of God: (1 Thess. 4:9) "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." If you want God to recognize you as a “saint” you must love the brethren!

           A Christian or a “saint” is one who is attentive to the words of Jesus; i.e. they know His voice: (John 10:4) "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." Just as sheep know the voice of their shepherd and recognize him as a friend so do “saints” know and recognize the words of Jesus as a friend; not only a friend but they know that Jesus is their Savior. If Jesus is not your Savior you cannot be a “saint”. In other words are you following the voice or the words of Jesus Christ?

           I would call your attention to the words of the apostle Peter: (1 Pet 5:5) "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."Here Peter addresses the “younger”, which is another way of addressing the Christian or the “saint”. It is suggested by some that he called them the “younger” because they were younger people than the evangelist that labored among them. Regardless of why he identified them as the “younger” it is his message to them that is important to us! Peter instructs them to be “clothed withHUMILITY.” I firmly believe that a “saint” must be humble. From the words of Peter we also learn that the “HUMBLE” are not without reward from God as it is to the “humble” that God gives His grace. This also follows with the way that Jesus lived His life while walking upon this earth. He was very humble; even though He was the Son of God He still humbled himself to be a servant. As “saints” we must be humble and remember that it is our duty to serve God: (Psa 2:11) "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Friends, if we “serve the Lord” we can indeed “rejoice” because we know that we have followed the example of Jesus and done that which is our duty.

           You can be a “saint” and you will receive a reward by doing that which God requires of you