I’ve always treasured the fact that Paul often addresses his comments and letters to “the saints” in the various churches. Growing up in the Catholic church, I learned that “saints” were only those who lived exemplary lives and were identified as saints by the authority of the Vatican. When they were “Canonized” as saints, it was only after their deaths. But Paul, and other writes of the Epistles, refers to all believers as “saints.”

I often refer to myself as “Saint Chuck.” I do it mostly to irritate my Catholic friends! The remarkable thing about this is that it is true. I’m a saint! After Paul introduces himself and Timothy as the author of the Letter to the Colossians he says who he is writing to. He clearly says he’s writing “to the saints” at Colossae.

Growing up, the saints were all presented as heroic figures. They were often worshiped and venerated so that we felt they were like super heroes that the ordinary person could never attain to. But the bible makes it clear that the true saints are those who believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. They’re not perfect, but forgiven. They are not idealized in statues but are real flesh and blood fighting the good fight of the faith.

The story is told of Oliver Cromwell who, when faced with a shortage of precious metal for coins, sent his troops out to find some. They reported that the only precious metal to be found was in the statues of saints standing in the corners of churches. Cromwell said, “Well, melt down the saints and put them in circulation.”

Chuck
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…” Ephesians 4:1