During his recent visit to the United States, the pope stirred up quite a bit of controversy when he canonized an 18th-century friar named Junipero Serra. The pontiff sought to recognize the friar for his work in bringing Catholicism to California, but there are some who claim he treated Native Americans harshly. This explains why a statue of Serra was vandalized after his elevation to sainthood was announced. As you can see, when your sainthood depends on your conduct, there will always be someone who will stand up to contest it.

How different it is with the believers, all of whom are called saints when mentioned in Scripture! The believers as Corinth were known for their worldly fleshly living (I Cor. 3:1), yet Paul calls them “saints” (I Cor. 1:2).

If you are wondering how this could be, it is because Paul knew that the verb form of the noun “saint” is sanctify, and while the Corinthians were carnal in their conduct, they were “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (I Cor. 1:2).

In the Bible, believers are “sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:16), not by any earthly church organization. How? they are “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ” (Heb. 10:10), and not due to their behavior. 

While Rome awards sainthood to men who are known for good works, the Lord says that men are “sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:18).

So it is that while the canonicity of all Rome’s saints can be contested by men… not even the devil himself can contest the sainthood of the believer in union with Christ. IT’S NO CONTEST!

Just remember Paul’s words to us as believers, sainthood is a high calling, so make sure “that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1).