Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. It is quite common to hear
religious men and women talk about saints as if this title
defines someone who has reached the pinnacle of Christianity.
Of course, the Roman Catholic Church has for years taught that
only a relative few exceptionally holy and devoted men and women
have ever reached this lofty perch. In fact, from time to
time they add someone to the list of those they have deemed
worthy of the honor of being called a saint. but even then
only after a lengthy process of judging their merit relative
to others upon which they have bestowed this lofty designation
in times past. We may view this process with
amusement or disdain, but in reality the concept that there
are different levels of being a Christian is quite a universal
consideration among many. There is a widespread notion
that it is possible to be a believer without a total commitment of
Christ. Some define it as accepting Him as Savior but not as Lord.
I have also heard this phenomenon described as a carnal Christian.
The implication is that a man may possess some basic level
of salvation while not having a heart that delights in the
things of Christ. Still others say that a man can
be a believer but can get filled with the Holy Ghost and become
a Spirit-filled Christian, which is different from just being
a plain Christian. Salvation is often presented as something
a man can choose when he gets ready. He can ask Jesus into
his heart and automatically he becomes saved. Nothing could
ever overturn that which he had allowed God to do for him. His
ticket to heaven was punched forever. This is proudly described
as once saved, always saved. It is quite common to see a multitude
in this tradition professing faith without any manifestation
of love for the things of Christ in them. They curse without remorse. Drunkards continue their drunkenness.
Adulterers and fornicators are undeterred in their lust. Gossip
mongers and backstabbers all continue with business as usual
after a brief period of euphoric reform. Sometimes they are described
as backsliders, and with a wink and a nod, they are assured of
salvation based on their decision for Christ. Such a concept is
entirely foreign to that which the Scripture reveals. The Lord
Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born again in order to
enter the kingdom of heaven. Paul said, Therefore, if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed
away. Behold, all things are become
new. The work of regeneration is a work wrought by the Holy
Ghost in all of those whom He calls to eternal salvation. A
man is either born again or he is not. There is no middle ground.
Either the Spirit has begun a work in us or we are yet in our sins.
All of God's children who have been brought out of darkness
and into the light and who have been given a revelation of the
glorious redemption of Jesus Christ are the saints of God. The word saint literally means
holy one or one set apart. We have been sanctified by Christ
and set free from the law of sin and death. So when the scripture
mentions saints 62 times in the New Testament, it is not a reference
to a class of super-Christians, but the name given to all of
those whose sin-debt is forever canceled by Christ, those who
have been called by the gospel and indwelt by His Spirit. They
have certain characteristics. Saints are not perfect but are
being perfected. Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended, that is, attained perfection. But this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, 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. We are not yet what we shall
be, but thank God we are not what we once were either. Saints
have a language all their own. The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities,
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered. The children of God can be prevented
from many things, but they will always pray. Because ye are sons,
God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying, Abba, Father. Saints are compelled to believe
and follow Christ. As Peter said, Lord, to whom
shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. While each person
who is a saint is chosen to follow Christ, each one is unable to
choose to follow another. The Holy Spirit draws men to
Christ and causes them to declare, as Peter did, Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God. Can the true children of God
embrace another Savior? Can they bow before another Lord?
He has bound them to Himself with cords of love that cannot
be broken. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.