Are You A Saint?

Have you ever considered yourself a saint?

I was put on HOLD for an extended time, only to be told by someone who could care less about my need, my insurance did not cover the expense.  I hung up feeling infuriated by the experience and the fact that I was responsible for an expense I was certain was covered by my insurance.

My elevated anger burned within me.  I felt out of control and concerned I may wrongfully misplace my anger on my family, so I grabbed my keys and purse to flee from my home to allow a few minutes to cool down.  I called my husband to let him know everything was fine, I just need a few minutes to get control of my emotions.

I found myself cruising the aisle of a favored home deco store.  I had previously purchased a picture there as part of a set.  Since my budget had not accommodated me to purchase the set, every time I went into the store, I looked for the missing match.  No sooner than I had thought, “I wonder if the picture is here today?” I had another thought, “Do you think you deserve that picture?  God is not going to bless you while all that sinful anger lives in your heart.”  I thought: “Yeah, that is so true.” But was it true?  Was my anger sinful?  I had not sinned in my anger.  I had even taken extra measure to prevent myself from sinning.  Yet, I felt shameful!

I turned the aisle and what do you think I saw?  The match to my picture sitting right there on the shelf!  Right there in the middle of the store, I began to weep.  I’m not talking about a few tears.  I mean I was weeping – having an emotional breakdown.  God spoke very clearly to my heart, “Gloria, I bless you because of Who I am, not because of who you are or what you have done.”  Grace!  God gives us what we don’t deserve and does not give us what we deserve.  It’s a truth that will bring you to your knees in public, weeping!

A quick search tells me the New Testament uses the word saints at least sixty-two times to describe the born-again believer in Jesus Christ.  We are called saints even when our behavior clearly does not reflect holiness!

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.   2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Jesus, Who was righteous and holy was treated as if He were a criminal.

We, who were not righteous, when we entered a relationship with Christ, were imputed the position of righteousness through Christ.  And we are treated as Holy. Righteousness does not come from works but is imputed upon us from God.  Romans 4:6b

If you are in a true relationship with Christ, you are a saint, holy, and you have been set apart.  Not because of your own work and righteousness but because of what Christ has done on your part.

 

Copyright©2018, Gloria Stucky

 

Photo by 小胖 车 on Unsplash