Rector’s Update: In Christ, we are (all) saints.

Dear Restoration, 

Today is All Saints’ Day. 

The writer to Hebrews says this about the saints, about those who are following Jesus in faith:

“Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering… you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:32, 34b-36 NLT)

When followers of Jesus are called, ‘saints’, it is not a grade or an evaluation- as if you have done something meritorious or good. It is an identity, a gracious declaration, a recognition that because Jesus has done something good, we are seen differently by our Father in heaven. We are saints. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)

This is fantastic news. Especially in a week where we are taking a deep dive into Romans 7 through our sermon and small groups. We are deliberately looking deeply at the battle that rages inside us.

“I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is god, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:18b-19 NLT)

That is an apt description of life for those of us who want to follow Jesus in faith and do what God says. It is a lifetime of learning to make faithful choices, to say yes to Him and no to what is wrong. Some days, some weeks, some years are better than others. But through it all, God calls us a saint, because that is the way He sees you and me, every day, if we are in Christ. Thanks be to God that He has made a way to be in Christ!

On Sunday, we will turn the page to Romans 8 and our present hope that there is, right now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

No guilt. We are forgiven.
No shame. We are seen and embraced.
No despair. The Holy Spirit is in us and changing us, day by day. We are saints.

We will remember our loved ones who have died in the past year, reminding ourselves that this life is short- a preparation for eternity with the God who loves us. We are resurrection people. We are saints.

And we will baptize children and adults into the family of God. We will witness the promises they make and that are made on their behalf. We will take on the responsibility of discipleship, training, and prayer so that they can walk in faithfulness to Jesus for a lifetime. We will rejoice in new life and give thanks that when we follow Jesus, we do it in the church, the community of saints.

May the Lord give you endurance when trials come. You are a saint.
May the Lord give you companions for rejoicing when grace appears. You are a saint.
May the Lord give you faithful patience as we wait for the renewal of all things. You are a saint.

See you on Sunday,
David