SAINTED!

“…to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” (I Corinthians 1:2b NLT Version)

I have an assignment for you today! Do you know how basketball players fake their defender out of their socks or how they make a move to get in the open and comment, “Got ya” or perhaps a similar, simple phrase? Well, like the athlete, but know that you are not playing a game, but rather you will be serious, today; every time that you react to someone opposite of what your natural, old nature, your fleshly reflex would dictate, choose to respond in a way that Christ would approve. Then, I want you to say aloud or at least to yourself, “Sainted!”  For you are a saint, a child of God, one of His Holy people, and you will have just demonstrated that you have been set apart from the world.  As you complete your assignment, you will project a truth by your behavior; the fact that you are in the world, but not of the world, the fact that your reactions are based on principles taught to us by the Christ, Jesus, the fact that you have been called of God. Listen, saint!

You did not have to go through some long, formal process to become a saint. You did not have to go through a prolonged process to be recognized as having lived an exemplary life. You did not have to go through an investigation that lasted for years to show that you lived an exemplary life. No, you are still living an exemplary life as you walk by faith and not by sight. Realizing that while we are not failures, but we have failings, don’t think that you have to wait until you have demonstrated a lifetime of living a pious and grace-filled life. You have lived a grace-covered life, for you have been saved by grace through faith. You became a saint the moment you decided to accept Christ and was determined to live such that you reflect that He is your Savior and your Lord.

Friend, your sainthood does not involve convincing people what you are by at least two miracles. You can convince people by being what you are: saved and sanctified, the salt of the earth and the light of the world, one who has truly been born again. Lastly, you don’t have to wait until your days on this earth have ended before qualifying for sainthood. You are a saint!

Getting back to your assignment, don’t forget to say or think, “Sainted” when your behavior shows that the Christ lives in you. Examples: When you don’t retaliate quickly, but respond with kindness and love, exclaim this expression internally or externally, “Sainted”” When someone does not treat you right, treat them like you would like to be treated and say aloud or silently, “Sainted!” Even when the tempter tries to get you to do what you ought not do or think what you should not be thinking, don’t just say, “The devil is a liar!” – but say in a victorious tone, “sainted!”

I need to close, but whether you love me or not, I love you. Why? Because I have been saved! I have passed from death to life. Guess what? You have just been “sainted!”  Now, do work on your assignment throughout the day, my friend. Be blessed!

“Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:21a King James Version)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King