Saints of God - Part 2

The word "Saints" implies a number of things worth pondering for a moment. As we’ve said, the word "saints" is closely related to the basic Greek word for holiness. Paul says we are "called" states. Now, I think we can clearly understand the we have been "called saints" by God himself. If this is so, and it is, than that must mean that the name "saints" is appropriate for us as believers. We know to God is not frivolous. We understand that he is not capricious. Rather, we understand that he is both deliberate and purposeful in all that he does. We also know that God is very careful with names. Think about all of the Old Testament characters we read of in the Bible. In virtually every case the name they were given by God was very significant. It is no less significant in this case! We have been called saints! That means that God views us as saints. Understanding what that word means, we should be filled with wonder at the magnitude of the change that salvation brings.

Before we were saved, the Bible says that we were at enmity with God. We were thoroughly sinful. Our thoughts were only for sin and for ourselves. We were utterly unfit for heaven and unacceptable to God in such condition. As the Scriptures says, we were fit only to be burned.

When salvation came, the Bible says that we received a new nature. It further argues that we have a standing before God that is utterly righteous. In God’s eyes we stand in righteousness that is Christ’s righteousness. When Christ walked the earth, he walked in complete holiness and righteousness. There was no spot of sin in him. The book of Hebrews tells us that he was "tempted like as we are, yet without sin.". He was the very embodiment of the holiness of God walking on earth among men.

The Word tells us that this essential righteousness is imputed to us when we receive Christ. That is, that the merit of Christ’s perfectly holy walk and being are accounted as if they were truly ours. It is important to note, that even though righteousness has been imputed to us, it is nevertheless not "our" righteousness. It remains the righteousness of Christ "counted" to our account. This righteousness is not infused into us, but rather, remains the righteousness of Christ. Thus, we are called saints, not because of a righteousness or holiness that exists within us; but solely because of Christ.