Jesus makes us saints!
Hebrews 10:10 By this will, we have been sanctified once and for all, through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. (EHV)
What comes to mind when you hear the word “saint”? Maybe it is one of the heroes of faith like Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, John, Paul, or perhaps someone who goes far and above in good deeds. Maybe it is someone who was killed because they confessed their faith in Christ, like all the martyrs in heaven wearing white robes. We have been conditioned to look at the word “saint” as something to achieve by doing something extraordinary for God. So, would you consider yourself a “saint” by this standard? Have you achieved the level of saint by doing something extraordinary for God?
It is difficult, maybe even impossible to think we are on the same level as the saints mentioned earlier, especially with the guilt of sin being thrown in our face by Satan day in and day out. We may strive to be “saints”, but it always seems to be out of reach. If this is the conclusion we end with, there is no hope for us to be saints in God’s kingdom!
What would those heroes of faith say to us about being “saints”? They all would tell us the same thing, that being a “saint” is not something they did but something was given to them by Jesus. A true saint is not earned but given. This gift is also given to you and me. We are saints despite our sins. We are saints because the sacrifice of Jesus’ body on the cross. If we try to become saints on our own, we will fail and earn eternal wrath. Rather looking inward, look to the cross. No matter our failures, Jesus did not fail in making you a saint. His sacrifice was made once and for all to cleanse us from sin and give us his righteousness. This makes us saints and opens eternal life in heaven to each of us.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for making us saints. Help us throw off our faulty ideas about being saints. Continue to cover us in your blood and bring us into glory for your name’s sake. Amen!