I often mention that the New Testament writers refer to all believers as “saints.” I even included that in one of my morning devotions the other day and got several responses from people. I love responses! It encouraged me to know that people are reading these whether they agree with me or not. Several of the responses I received on that specific day didn’t agree with me. Can you imagine that!! As I read Colossians 1:12 this morning, I realized it addressed that issue specifically. Paul tells the believers that they should be giving thanks to the Father because He “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

 As a boy I used to wear a St. Christopher medal for protection. In the 50’s he was still regarded as a Saint and should be revered and prayed to for help. To consider myself on equal standing with someone like that is a bit presumptive. Actually, when you read the “lives of the Saints” you find that these many great men and women are exemplary in many ways. Who would want to compare themselves to someone in the stature of a Mother Theresa! Not me!

 But Paul insists that I am qualified for everything they are qualified for! How can that be?  The next two verses, Colossians 1:13-14, explain it all. Paul says that we’re qualified because God “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

 Paul uses this truth as a means of motivating us all to “live worthy” of the calling with which we’ve been called!

 Chuck

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” Philippians 4:21-22