November 1st is called “All Saints Day” in some denominations. Over the years, there has been a lot of confusion about who gets to be a saint or how one qualifies to reach saint status. The truth is, that it is really needless confusion. It is really quite simple if we take things from a biblical perspective.

What is a saint?

As a follower of Jesus, YOU ARE A SAINT. Right here. Right now. Just as you are. Every Christian is a saint.

Eight Things About Saints::

1) “…Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13).

There were people in Jerusalem that were alive when they were called saints. Notice that saints is plural. A lot of different people in different places were saints. You do not have to be dead to be a saint. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint right now.

2) “Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda” (Acts 9:32).

At the time this was written, there were no formal, incorporated church denominations. People were being called saints before there was a formalized church structure and offices. Therefore it does not take an official act of the Roman Catholic Church (or any other denomination) to become a saint. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint already.

3) “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons …“ (Acts 26:10).

These saints were getting thrown in jail unjustly. Saints did not have comfortable, easy, care-free lives. Saints are not above persecution and suffering. No one is more “saintly” than Jesus, and he suffered immensely. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint no matter the circumstances in your life.

4) “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:21).

A saint is someone who is “in Jesus Christ”. If you were a follower of Jesus, then you were considered a saint. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint now and forever.

5) “that you receive her (Pheobe) in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints …” (Romans 16:2).

Pheobe was to be welcomed by the church in Rome as a saint. Men and women were saints. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint whether you are a man, woman, teenager, or child.

6) “For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

Part of the role of a pastor or elder was to train up the saints. Saints needed equipping, training, teaching, etc. Saints were not perfect and do not know it all. The same is true today. Saints are imperfect, everyday people who are being grown in faith in Jesus so that they can serve and build the church.

7) “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (Ephesians 5:3).

Paul had to remind and correct these saints to stop their sinful sexual impurity, greed, and general immorality. Again saints aren’t perfect. Saints do sin. Saints need correcting and need to repent to Jesus. Saints are also called to a greater way of living. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint no matter how much sin you need to daily repent of to Jesus.

8) “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” 1 Corinthians 1:2

The word “holy” and “saint” come from the same word. Saints are not holy in and of themselves or because of any great miracle or achievement that have accomplished. Saints are saints by grace through faith in Jesus. So if you rely on Jesus alone by grace alone through faith alone for your salvation, then guess what? Yep, you’re a saint.

If you have never known the grace of Jesus, I invite you today to become a saint of God through faith in Jesus.

Happy Saints day!