I Am a Saint

Identity Crisis
I Am a Saint
1 Peter 1:13-16

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Every follower of Jesus Christ is a saint!

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus…” (Ephesians 1:1) (see also Philippians 1:1 & Colossians 1:1-2)

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

The word “saint” is a translation from the Greek word, “hagios” from which we get the words Holy and Sanctify

To be holy or sanctified basically means to be set apart For God

We can think about holiness in the life of a believer in at least three ways:

1. Positional holiness – who we are

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” (Colossians 1:21–22)

2. Progressive holiness – who we are becoming

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)

3. Personal/Practical holiness – what we do (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Holiness is not a list of “do’s and don’ts”, but Conformity to the character of God and Obedience to the will of God

Being a saint/holy is both someone we are and something we are to Pursue by God’s enabling grace

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13)

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

As We Pursue Holiness We Can Choose:

1. What we Think About

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Real change begins in the Mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(Romans 12:2)

2. Our Habits

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7–8)

We form our Habits and then our Habits form us

3. Our Relationships

“Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

4. Our Response to Circumstances

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”
(Hebrews 12:5–7)

5. To be Accountable

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another...” (James 5:16)

Accountability may be the missing Key for many of us in the pursuit of holiness!

A Word of Encouragement: It Takes Time!

Decisions can be made in a moment; real Change usually takes place over time.

"People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated." D.A. Carson

Making It Personal:

• Have I personally responded to God’s invitation to be set apart to Him by turning from my sin and turning in faith and trust to Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord?
• What am I choosing to fill my mind with through my eyes and ears? What am I choosing to think about when my mind is free to think and reflect? What do I find my thoughts wandering toward in unguarded moments?
• What habits of training for godliness am I currently practicing on a consistent basis? Are there any adjustments that need to be made in my routines?
• Who are some of the key relationships in my life? Are we helping one another grow in holiness? How?
• How am I choosing to respond to the circumstances of my life? What attitude am I displaying? How might God be brining loving, fatherly discipline to bear in my life right now?
• Who am I currently seeking to be accountable to? How are we going to encourage, challenge and strengthen one another in the days ahead?