Sainthood – Alison Johnston

by | Sep 25, 2022 | Bible Messages

Sainthood

1 Peter 1: 13-16

The Biblical meaning: every Christian.

The view of the Catholic Church: canonised, virtuous life, good works e.g., Mother Teresa

Popular sense: “I need the patience of a saint!”

Biblical meaning. Set apart into a relationship with God. “My Beloved is mine and I am His.” Song of Solomon 2:16

“Be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 Obedience to God.

Why do we need saints?

  1. For the sake of the world. “In the world but not of it.” John 17:15,16. A difficult tension. Saints are not to be taken out of the world. Should be living out their saintly lives as part of the world. Be lights shining where God has placed us. We should not be influenced by the world in the wrong way.
  • “Glory” Ego. Not acknowledging God. “I can do this. I don’t need God.”
  • “Gold” The love of money. Pursuing wealth so that we neglect reading our Bibles, going to church, our relationships with others.

 

  1. For God’s sake. It is pleasing to God to see His son/daughter living out the Christ-life. “This is My beloved son, my beloved daughter.”
  2. For our own sakes. “Happy are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Do you want to be happy? Seek to be holy!

How do we live out our sainthood?

  1. Sainthood is for everyone. Don’t say, “I’m just a simple housewife/househusband.” The world needs saintly housewives/househusbands, flatmates, single people living alone. That is where saintliness is needed: in the home!
  2. God has made it possible for us to live saintly lives.

We say, “Lord, I can’t do this. I’m discouraged. How can I live a saintly life?” And God says to you, “I’ve provided everything!” 2 Peter 1:3: “God has granted to us all things….all things!!… that pertain to life and godliness.” He has called us to excellence. It is a high calling. It is a holy calling, but God says to us, “I have given you the Holy Spirit so that He can fulfil in your life all these graces of love, and patience and peace.”

 

Every day let our prayer be the words of St Francis of Assisi:

“Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.

Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,

And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.”