Saints are sinners saved by God’s grace

by Pastor Terry K. Morrison – 

In our modern day vernacular, we have made the term “saint” synonymous with perfection. One of the denominations in our religious culture is known to confer the status of sainthood to individuals who demonstrated exemplary behavior during their lifetime. It is a rigid process based on human oversight of human behavior.

However, a close look into God’s Word will reveal a different definition of “saint.” According to the Word of God, saints are merely sinners who have been saved by the grace of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved by faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” We did not do anything to deserve sainthood, it is a gift of God. Saints are sinners who fell down, but got back up again.

“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,” reads Proverbs 24:16.  “Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand,” reads Psalm 37:24.

How many times in your job or maybe in your marriage, when the stress intensifies, have you said, “I can’t take it anymore. I quit.” Sometimes these words are even spoken to God when the demands seem too great.

But, even in discouraging times, God has made a provision for our endurance. We have the testimony of men like David or Abraham, or even the prodigal son, who knew that their best course of action, after a lapse in judgment, was to get back up and keep going. And that is what perseverance of the saints is. It is when we come to the realization that quitting is not an option…