Weekend, August 8, 2020
Living Saints
“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1 nkjv).
It’s very easy when we read the epistles to skip over the opening statements as though they have no relevance to us. But we don’t want to do that. In Philippians 1:1, for instance, the apostle Paul reveals the door to a life of happiness.
This happiness, however, isn’t an emotional high from some pleasure or experience. Rather, it’s a deep-seated faith and trust in God.
Paul began by saying, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1 nkjv). If you want to be happy, then be a saint. Before you think that leaves you out, you need to understand what the word saint means. It’s interchangeable with the word believer.
Acts 9:13 provides another example of this. When the Lord told Ananias to go pray for the newly converted Saul of Tarsus (later to become Paul), Ananias responded, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem” (nkjv, emphasis added).
And notice that Paul said, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus” (emphasis added).
This means that as Christians, we’re not righteous because of what we do. We’re righteous because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. He has put His righteousness into our spiritual bank accounts, so to speak. That is called justification. We’re in right standing with God.
Now, living it is another story. That is where sanctification comes in. Sanctification is living out justification. The Bible tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 nkjv).
Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Then you’re a saint. Believers aren’t saints because they’re perfect; believers are saints because they are in Christ.
Copyright © 2020 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of Marvel at the Moon by Levi Lusko
In this fantastic 90-day devotional, author and pastor Levi Lusko uses illuminating stories, biblical teaching, and eye-opening surprises about outer space to show kids that they’re never alone because God is always with them. A copy of this beautifully illustrated book will be mailed to you when you make a gift of support to Harvest Ministries this month.
