The Greek word for saints is ‘hagios’, and it essentially means ‘sacred’. Thus, a saint is one who is both morally blameless and consecrated to God. But this calls for some clarification. For how could a person be less than perfect in character and still be morally blameless at the same time? Were the Philippians whom Paul referred to as saints, without sin? Well, if they had reached the peak of success in walking uprightly with God then what sense would there have been in saying the following words:

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” – Philippians 2:1-5 KJV

It’s obvious that they still needed some refining!

I think it’s important to note something here: Paul acknowledged saints as being “in Christ Jesus” (see 1:1); meaning, anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is considered a saint. But he also said the following words:

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” – Philippians 3:12-16 KJV

Indeed, being morally blameless doesn’t mean it’s impossible to sin; rather, it’s about being in Christ. As soon as a person gives their life to Jesus Christ they become a saint. His righteousness abolishes their guilt and thereby covers their spiritual nakedness. This is what Jesus referred to as being “born again” (Jn. 3:7), and what Paul described as “a new creature” in Christ (2Cor. 5:17). In other words, if you are in Christ then you are no longer the same person that you were before you gave your life to Him. For while you were an unbeliever you were dead in your sins, but as a believer you are alive in Christ. Before you were filled with guilt, but now you are blameless, not because you are sinless or can’t sin, but because Christ’s righteousness has released you from your past. Hence you are sacred because you belong to Him, and are therefore sanctified by His presence.

Listen, we can’t make ourselves saints with our own hands; we can only become saints by letting Jesus take hold of our lives with His hands. It’s not about our works, but His good will. Thus, God doesn’t see us for what we were; rather, He sees us for what we have become in Christ. And while it is true that we are still in need of refinement, we are still regarded as ‘sacred’ to God because we are in Christ. And because we are in Christ we can be confident that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Hence we are no longer hopeless sinners wandering about in a world that is passing away, but saints in Christ who are living in the hope of His return.

• Go to the next part of this study: Part 3