Saints, Wherever You Are

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV). There’s a little story that talks about a small boy who had been told of an old Christian hermit. Five year old Brian was impressed by the story of Simeon the Stylite, a Syrian monk who lived in the 5th century. This man was admired as a saint because he lived for more than 35 years on a platform atop a high pillar. Determined to follow Simeon’s example, Brian put the kitchen stool on the table and started his perilous climb. When his mother heard some strange sounds in the kitchen, she came in, and shouted, “Brian! Get down before you break your neck!” As the youngster obeyed, he muttered, “You can’t even become a saint in your own house.” The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians encouraging them to walk “in a manner worthy of the calling.” He wants us to be saints. Saint originates from the Greek word meaning "holy" or "set apart." The New Testament uses the word saint or saints sixty-seven times. In every instance, the reference is to all believers. Never is the word used of a special group of believers who serve God better than others. Scripture is clear that all Christians are saints. We are all to walk worth of that calling. The overwhelming impact of being a saint is our identification with one another. So much of the time we are divided along various lines of culture, belief, or doctrine. That is not a concept found in the Scripture. From John’s vision of the end of time, here are the saints he saw: After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10 ESV). Perhaps it is time for the people of God to recognize our relationship to one another is much closer than we have either imagined or practiced. Of course, sound doctrine is important; however, I find it better to find the things I can agree with others about before I begin to debate the differences. After all, if you are a child of God, we are brothers and sisters in that faith! Walk worthy, dear saint!