When we think of a saint, we might picture someone who lived centuries ago, performed miracles, or devoted their life to serving God in a religious order. However, the Bible has a different definition of what it means to be a saint, and it applies to all believers who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for “saint” is hagios, which means “set apart” or “holy.” In other words, to be a saint is to be set apart for God’s purposes, and to live a life that reflects His holiness.
Here are three ways the Bible talks about being a saint:
- Saints are called to be holy.
In 1 Peter 1:15-16, we read, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” As saints, we are called to be holy in all aspects of our lives, including our thoughts, actions, and relationships. This means living a life that is set apart from the world’s values and pursuing righteousness, purity, and love.
- Saints are part of a community.
The Bible also teaches that being a saint means being part of a community of believers. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul addresses the church in Corinth as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people.” As part of the body of Christ, we are called to love and serve one another, using our gifts and talents to build up the church and fulfill God’s purposes.
- Saints are saved by grace through faith.
Finally, being a saint means acknowledging that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 2:8-9, we read, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” As saints, we recognize that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and we put our faith in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to save us.
The Bible teaches that being a saint is not reserved for a select few, but is the identity of every believer in Jesus Christ. As saints, we are called to be holy, part of a community, and saved by grace through faith. May we all embrace our identity as saints and live lives that reflect God’s love, grace, and holiness
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