“Called to be saints” (Romans 1:7)

The word “saint” means “holy”. The 1st century Church understood you were either a saint (holy), or an unrighteous unbeliever.  The Apostle Paul starts his letter, “to those who are sanctified (made holy) in Christ Jesus, called to be saints (holy)” (1 Corinthians 1:2). A little later, he says, “Dare any of you ... go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints (holy)? Do you not know that the saints (holy) will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-2).
Today, we’ve practically lost the clear distinction between sinners and saints, and when I hear a church-goer say, with a smug smile “I’m no saint”, I cringe. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9). “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints (holy), to execute judgment on all ... ungodly sinners." (Jude 14-15).

Many think the early Christians must have not been tempted as much, or perhaps they had more grace. If they had more grace, it’s because they cooperated with the Holy Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh instead of excusing sin, with the blasphemous attitude, “I’m no saint”. “If you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:13-14).

The closer you live to God, the more you’ll cooperate with His Holy Spirit. We have more of the Word than they had, and the Holy Spirit still lives within saints. Why should we be satisfied with sin while they put it to death? I fear most church-goers love the world more than they love God. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). The Apostle John warned, “Let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8).