You may be surprised, how the Bible describes "saints".
The Jews were not perfect, though they were separate from other nations and sanctified to God’s service. While God’s people worshiped the One true God, other nations worshiped idols made by man. Thus, the term designated was given to those people, that have dedicated themselves for the worship and ministry of God.
In the New Testament, the word saints (Greek Hagios) literally means “holy ones.” It identifies the Christians or the believers: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1alsoActs 9:32,41;26:10; etc.).
The word saints, does not mean believers who are perfect in holiness (1 Corinthians 1:2,11). But rather it points to those, who by their repentance and confession of faith, receive forgiveness and walk separate from the evil things of this world and are devoted to His service.
Characteristics of the saints
John the Revelator, describes the saints, saying: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12also 12:17). Therefore, the saints are identified by keeping the commandments of God and having their faith in Jesus.
Nowhere in Scripture, does it tell us to pray to the saints, no matter who they are, as in doing so, that becomes the same as worshipping idols, breaking God's first Commandment. We are also not to pray to angels.
Only God sets the divine standard for righteousness, which cannot be earned by sinful man. God knows man cannot do that on his own (Romans 8:7) without divine assistance. For man comes short of reaching God's divine standard, because of his sinful nature (Romans 3:23). But praise God, Jesus came as Mediator between God and man, that whosoever comes to Jesus to be forgiven, shall be saved. John 3:16, 17.
Once a person believes Jesus and trusts in the Atonement Jesus secured on the cross they are Holy.. The Word Holy does not mean sinless or perfect.. Holy means ""seperate"" or placed apart from others.. Being Holy Simply means you have been seperated from others you are different then the normal.. So the saved are Holy ( seperated ) from the unsaved they are in two distict groups..
Saints is not a title for someone who has achieved sinless perfection in this world ( this is a faulty catholic type view of the title Saint ) in Christianity A Saint is someone who believes Jesus and trusts in the atonement Jesus secured on the cross.. Because they are covered by the blood of Jesus they are Deemed Holy Saints by God who no longer sees or remembers their transgressions any more.. They appear good in His sight.. ( not because they are actually good / perfect ) but because their faults are covered by the atoning blood of The LORD Jesus..
@Adstar Although what you say is true and comes from 1 Peter and Leviticus 19 to 20, I would never and could never come out and call myself "holy", I have a problem with that because I'm not even as good as the Lord. My righteousness is as filthy rags, compared to the Lord. And yes I get it so you don't have to go into that again, it's just that I personally do not feel holy and I don't feel "holier than thou". I still sin, but thank God that he redeemed me by his blood. I try to be my best for Christ, and that's what Leviticus is talking about and records the Lord's emphasis on being holy. The word holy in Hebrew is "quadash", which means to be sanctified, consecrated, and dedicated or to be separated from the world and worldliness.
Now I can do that, I can strive to be that, but I don't feel comfortable describing myself as holy and never would, as I know what the world thinks about followers of Christ. I do not want to give them the impression that I feel Holier or better than them, because I don't. The Word also says to be humble. And not in a phony way. I have never ever felt I was better than anyone, even from a child, on. I'm not sure how I got the idea or where it came from even, but when I was a very small child, I was very sensitive in the fact that I never wanted anyone to think that I thought of myself as better than them, so I always let them take the spotlight. And I think that came from, now that I think about it, I know that came from never feeling good enough for my parents and so that caused me to be a people pleaser and I had to overcome that through the years and thank God, I did.
@Adstar Although what you say is true and comes from 1 Peter and Leviticus 19 to 20, I would never and could never come out and call myself "holy", I have a problem with that because I'm not even as good as the Lord.
Thats exactly the problem i was talking about.. People having different definitions for words.. Holy and Saint being two of these words.. You believe Holy is about being good/ perfect like being God.. Yes God is Holy Because God is seperate from is.. He is the Creator we are the Creator.. He is perfect we are not.. But we are also Holy because we are Seperated from Unbelievers by our Faith in Jesus.. When the Jewish people where Seperated from the gentiles so that God could deliver His Message through them they where called a Holy Nation.. Not because they where superior or because they where Good / perfect.. On the contrary they where described by God as a stiff necked people, very rebellious.. But they where Holy because the where a people speprated from other world populations for a purpose that God wanted to perform..
(Exodus 19:3-6) "And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; {4} Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. {5} Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: {6} And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."
You believe Holy is about being good/ perfect like being God.
No....I don't. And I mentioned that. And I deliberately mentioned that because I felt you would get that impression, but that's not true at all. I think you miss my whole point because I try to explain how I felt and as I mentioned, everything you said is true in your post that I answered, but sometimes I'm not very good at expressing myself. I do not believe holy means being good or perfect. I thought I reiterated that in my last message.
