Our Saints
What is a Saint?
The word “saint” means “holy one.” The impression that many have about this word is that saints are those who are especially good or who have given up their lives to serve others. This definition could never apply to any of us, since we are aware of our sinful thoughts and our lack of dedication.
However, this description is one of Law, not Gospel. Becoming a saint is not a process of doing better and more; it is a gift from God. For by His gracious gifts, God has made us qualified to be saints because of the work of His Son and the Holy Spirit. God’s Son became man to perfectly keep God’s Law and to pay the punishment of all sin by His death on the cross. Jesus won our righteousness (holiness) by His death.
When the Holy Spirit gave us faith in Jesus through His powerful Word, He gave us the forgiveness and holiness that Jesus earned for all people. Revelation 7:14 speaks of the saints in heaven who “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” We are given this robe of holiness through faith in Jesus.
On All Saints Sunday, we also thank God for those whom He has taken into heaven from St. Timothy. We also recognize the deaths of who have been a blessing to our Evangelical Lutheran Synod. As we honor their faith and thank God for their example of service, we ask God to keep us in the same faith and help us serve others who journey with us on the way to heaven.
