Sinner And Saint

 

Sinner And Saint

Ephesians 2:18-20 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;..."

Who is a sinner? In many religious traditions, a sinner is generally defined as someone who has violated moral or religious laws. The specific acts or behaviors considered sinful in Christianity, for example, sin is often associated with actions that go against the commandments of God as spelt out in the Bible, such as lying, stealing, or committing adultery. 

Who is a saint?  

In Christianity, a saint is generally seen as someone who has lived a life of exemplary faith and virtue and is believed to be in heaven if dead. Saints are generally considered to be role models and intercessors, capable of interceding with God on behalf of individuals or communities. In the context of the Bible, a saint is  someone who is not a stranger to God and is considered to be in a healthy relationship with Jesus. A Saint can be alive or dead. If alive, he or she lives his or her daily life in obedience to the word of God in deed and in word.. Looking at scripture, the qualities that makes up a saint are clear and concerning this, God is not selective as to who becomes saint. We choose to either walk and work for and with God will mark himself or herself for sainthood.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;..."

Do not stand aloft from God, come close to Him: "...ye are no more strangers and foreigners...". If you are in Christ Jesus, you are a fellow citizen of God's kingdom: "...fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;.." Even though now, it may appear like you are not of close to the mark, you will grow into it as you walk with Jesus: "...built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;...". A saint is not one just in word but indeed. Through Jesus, we have access to sainthood.

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father..."

A saint is one who finds pleasure in pleasing God and is morally pure in thoughts and words and in daily living. He or she is sanctified and consecrated to do the work of God in whatever he or she finds to do whether in religious or secular setting. Living a life of sainthood is a call to living by faith in the word of God and separation from the world. While different religious groups may have different arrangements to declare a person a saint, the Bible made it clear that it is first of all built on the relationship with God through Jesus Christ who will cleanse and sanctify a person from all forms of unrighteousness. 

When put side by side, sainthood and sinful living are typified in the Bible. Sodom was typical of a sinful person or nation. This sinful nation was full of sin and ready for judgement. On the other hand, there was a righteous man who was living to please God, Abraham. This man was righteous to the extent that God confides on Him about what He was about to do. The righteous Abraham had a nephew in Sodom and here we are that God is about to destroy Sodom with Abraham's nephew in it. Because of Abraham, the nephew Lot was speared.

Genesis 13:13-14 "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, ...:"

This typology of sinners and a saint put side by side is for us to learn a lesson. God hates the sin but loves the sinner and will like the sinner to drop the sin and go for righteousness until marked as saint.

Psalms 1:1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

Surrounded by sinners, you soon become like one of them except righteousness is built in you. Jesus is that righteous one that can turn a sinner to saint. God is selective as to who enjoys certain divine benefits. A sinner may start the journey by asking for forgiveness. Cleansing from sin and sinful living sets a man ready to enjoy heaven's favour meant for the saints.

St. Matthew 27:52 "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,"

What holds a man down as a result of sin, cannot hold a saint down. The grave gave up the saints when Jesus accomplished divine mandate. They were set free from the power of the grave.

The word saint in the Bible from which we interpret means: dedicated, hallowed, holy, pious, godly, sacred, and morally blameless. All those considered as saints in the Bible had a relationship with God in obedience and blamelessness from contamination of the world and sinners. The word sinner from which we interpret in the Bible is someone who is found guilty in the eyes of God, someone full of sin, someone disobedient to the law of God. The Bible clearly spells out that there is a temporal and eternal reward for a sinner and a saint.

Psalms 1:5 "Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous."

There is always a line drawn for a sinner on the one side and for the saint on the other hand. Where a man belongs is all up to the man. God does not hide His plan at all concerning sinner or saint. The prayers of the saints of God will always gain access to the throne of God for speedy answer.

1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Peace goes with the saints of God. What goes with the sinner?

Proverbs 13:21 "Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed."

God reveals secrets to the saints so that their lives will be full with the knowledge of God and reward associated with obedience

Colossians 1:26 "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:"

There is always room for the sinner to gain access to the blessings meant for the righteous. What can the sinner do. Repent and be converted.

Psalms 51:12-13 "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

 A righteous man can loose his righteousness. The habitual life of sin can make a righteous man to be considered as a sinner in the eyes of God. Do not agree to go back to sin by any means. The grace of God is available to help any man to stay away from sin. 

Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

Heaven is desiring for a sinner to repent from sin. There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. This joy is an indication of how serious the matter is.

St. Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Are you ready to repent? Are you ready to be converted? Are you ready to start the journey to sainthood? Today is that day. Now is the time to start.

Pray:

My Father and my God, I come to you in repentance and asking that you forgive me from my sin. I drop the title: 'SINNER' and move in the direction of a 'SAINT' in your eyes. Help me and bless me in this pursuit in Jesus name. Amen!