Saint Defined: Meaning, Prayer and Eternal Promise

What is a saint? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 1:2. Here Paul says, "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." When you are sanctified you are set apart by God for a special purpose. Every person who calls on the name of Jesus is a saint.

What do you think of when you hear the word saint?

Every Believer Is Called a Saint

When you read the letters of Paul you will notice that in his introductions to the letters he calls them all saints: the Romans (Romans 1:7), the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:2), those in Ephesus ( Ephesians 1:1), in Philippi (Philippians 1:1), and those living in Colossae (Colossians 1:2). In the early church, the saints in Lydda were also referred to as saints. (Acts 9:32). If Paul were alive today and writing a letter to your church you would also be called saints.

Paul’s Prayers for the Saints: Wisdom and Understanding

Paul often prays for the saints. In Ephesians 1:17-18, he prays for us to have "a spirit of wisdom and understanding." Why? He provides three reasons:

1. So that we can know God better.

2. So we can know the hope we have in Him.

3. So we can realize the "riches of inheritance" we have waiting for us.

   
   

Lifting One Another in Prayer

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul prays and offers supplications on behalf of all the saints. This means he prays humbly and sincerely for God's graciousness for all the brothers and sisters in Christ. This is something we should always do for one another—lift each other up in prayer. We pray for others because we love them.

When was the last time you prayed specifically for other believers, not just your own needs?

Five Goals in Paul’s Prayer for Colossian Saints

In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul prays that the saints will have knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Why? Paul explains five reasons:

1. To please God.

2. To bear fruit.

3. To increase knowledge.

4. To strengthen us with might and patience.

5. To share the inheritance that we have.

   Which of these five are you asking God for in your life?

   
   

Lessons from Paul’s Prayers

What can we learn from Paul's prayers for the saints? Consistently we see that his prayers were focused on God and His glory, not just what God could do for us. Paul prays for spiritual growth in those he writes letters to. They are not to be stagnant but go deeper in their knowledge and understanding of God.

Are you experiencing spiritual growth? If not, why not?

Paul's prayers emphasize gratitude in all things. They show the importance of praying for others and their needs. Prayer is our spiritual responsibility. Finally, his prayers show the importance of hope. Hope for the glorious future that waits for those who are patient and faithful.

Where does your hope lie?

Saint Defined: Meaning, Prayer and Eternal Promise

In Saint Defined: Meaning, Prayer & Eternal Promise we see that our spiritual inheritance isn't just a future hope, after our death, but it is in the here and now. We have the opportunity to have a relationship with God who loves us above all. You and I are His children, part of His family (Romans 8:16). We get to know Him, His work, and His will. Through the honor and glory that we offer Him, we are blessed.

Do you approach God as your beloved Father?

The Spirit Intercedes for the Saints

We learn in Romans 8:27 that the Holy Spirit "intercedes for the saints according the will of God." The Holy Spirit of God who dwells in us also prays for us! When we are at a loss for words, when we are unsure of the direction God would have us go, then our needs are communicated to God through the Spirit. The Spirit intercedes according to God's will, not always what we think we need.

Do we pray like Jesus, "Not my will, but yours, Father"?

Saints in Revelation

In John's vision in Revelation, we learn about future saints. They are characterized as saints persecuted by the world, people of prayer and worship, faithful and enduring, and as rewarded and honored.

Saints as Prayerful Worshipers

John's visions describes the saints as being people of prayer and worship. In Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, the prayers of the saints are pictured rising to God and filling golden bowls like incense. In 15:3, the saints sing a victorious song to the Lamb. It is an anthem of praise that echoes the glory and justice of God.

Saints Under Persecution and Endurance

Revelation 13:7 explains, that the beast will be allowed to make war with God's saints and overcome them. Revelation 16:6, 17:6, 18:24, and 20:9 reveal the tragic cost of loyalty to Christ, as the saints face relentless persecution and even martyrdom.

Revelation 13:10 reveals that the saints are called to live with enduring faith and patient trust, especially during hardship. In 14:12, we are told that the true people of God will remain steadfast, they will endure persecution and remain faithful to God. Even today, patience and endurance are qualities that Christians greatly need. According to opendoors.org, 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted world wide, 1 in 5 in Africa and 2 in 5 in Asia.

Have you or anyone you know, experienced true persecution?

Vindication and Reward of the Saints

In Revelation 11:15-19, God's kingdom is proclaimed. We are told that the time has come to reward the saints. Revelation 19:8 also refers to their honor and rewards. This promise echoes Daniel 7:18 which says, "But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." At the end of time, His kingdom will be established, bringing righteousness, peace, and His blessings to all.

Above all, Revelation offers encouragement, when we suffer for Christ. It is His victory that we wait patiently for. We know what a great reward He offers to the faithful. In John's day, when this book was written, the church was going through terrible persecution. Revelation would have given them hope knowing that in the end their Savior would return and bring an end to suffering.

Old Testament Saints and the Continuity of Holiness

This is not just a New Testament concept. In Psalm 30:4, we are told that saints sing praise and give thanks to God. Psalm 37:28 says God will not forsake His saints. He will forever preserve them. In Psalm 116:15, the psalmist says that the death of God's saints is precious to Him. God's people are set apart by their covenant relationship with Him and by their faithful obedience.

Is there a difference between the saints we read about in the Old Testament and those in the New Testament? Both are referring to people who have been set apart for God's purpose. In the Old Testament, it often applies to people of great faith like Abraham or Moses, but sometimes to the nation of Israel as a whole. They are in a covenant relationship with God.

In the New Testament, the term applies to believers in Jesus. The New Testament focuses more on the Holy Spirit and His role in sanctifying believers. Stephen, in the New Testament, is a solid example of someone who lived and died a life of faith, the faith of a saint. This same set-apart identity continues for believers today.

Living as Saints in the World

As believers we are described as a stranger in the earth (Psalm 119:19). Our difference from the world should be something easily noticed. We should not delight in things because of their ability to satisfy worldly desires but our delight should be in God. Our love for God and for others should not be hidden. It shouldn't be something people have to wonder about. Love should be not just what we do or how we act, but who we actually are.

Do we reserve our love for people just like us or do we treat everyone lovingly?

To live as a saint today means the same as in the days of Paul. We should be on a journey to holiness. We should offer prayers not just for ourselves and those around us but for the whole body of Christ. We should desire an identity as a saint, a set apart member of the church. As a saint, we should suffer differently, better if you will, because we always have hope in the resurrection of our Savior and the world He promises us to come.

As a person who has been set apart, do you know what your special purpose is in Christ?

Faith-By-Faith: The Assurance of the Saints

We can joyfully say to our Lord, "You are my reward" both in this life and the next. Our promise is a free gift given to the faithful. The Old Testament saints, like Abraham were also justified in the same way— by faith (Romans 4:17). Philippians 3:9 reminds us that we become righteous only by faith in Christ. Are you a saint? The answer is yes, if your faith is in Christ!