HOW TO BECOME A SAINT{Second Edition}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

HOW TO BECOME
 A SAINT{Second Edition}

"To all...who are loved by GOD, called

to be saints, {Romans 1:7}

INTRODUCTION:

     Onyeukwu {1998:1}, renders that, “the word “saint” implies a call to holy living, and has a redemptive application”. The Apostle Paul puts this truth in its practical form, in his first letter to the Corinthian Church, which runs as follows, “to the Church of GOD in Corinth, to those sanctified in CHRIST JESUS and called to be “holy”... {1 Cor. 1:2}. The Apostle, in another letter to the Church in Rome, makes a synonymous change of the phrase, from “called to be “holy” to called to be “saints” {Roman 1:7}, reaffirming the redemptive idea of the word, “saint”.

     Before the fall of man, Adam and Eve were saints or holy, until they yielded to the deception of Satan by dis-obeying GOD, and so, became sinners. This situation warranted the coming of JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED LORD and SAVIOUR into this world for the redemption of man. Having completed the work of redemption on the Cross of Calvary, one who now believes in HIM is, thereby, redeemed and restored to the original state of holiness, which Adam and Eve were before they sinned. This, therefore, confirms the biblical truth that, the word “saint” carries a redemptive application.

WHO IS A SAINT?

     According to the Holy Scripture, the word “saint” applies to one who is saved and renewed from the nature of sin, {Titus 3:5}. It equally applies to someone whose sins are forgiven {Psalm 32:1}, and washed away by the Blood of JESUS CHRIST, {Eph. 1:7}. Also, the word is used to describe one whose name is written in the Book of Life {Rev. 20:15}, in whose life CHRIST dwells, {Gal. 2:20}. Furthermore, the word “saint” is, as well used to refer to one who is resurrected with CHRIST from sin into newness of life {Rom. 6:4} who, now, worships GOD in spirit and truth, {John 4:24}, which indicate(s) in concrete terms that saintship is not earned by beatification.

WHAT IS BEATIFICATION?

     Beatification is an age-long practice of some religious groups which announce that a dead person is among the blessed or those who will live forever with GOD in a state of supreme happiness. This practice has no biblical support, as church History shows  that it is a product of a backslided church. In line with this, Harry Boer {1976:145}, remarks that, “in the New Testament, all believers are called saints, but in later Church History, only great people, such as Martyr or Church Leaders were announced saints, and that only after they were dead”. Dr Boer’s reaction opens up three major errors of beatification:

{1} That only Church Leaders and Christian Martyrs are made saints

{2} That only the dead is qualified to be announced saint.

{3} That no one is declared saint unless by the church.      

     Beatification errors cannot stand the test of time because they have no biblical foundation, as the Holy Scripture shows that GOD redeems and declares saints into the church {1 Cor. 1:2}, and that those saints addressed by the Apostle Paul in his letters were living and not dead, {Rom. 1:7}. Worthy of note, also, is that every living child of GOD is a saint, in the “Church Militant” on earth, but when such a child of GOD dies or passes on to be with the LORD in GLORY, he remains a saint, but now in the “Church Triumphant”  in heaven; and so, saints are manifested here on earth before they go to heaven. They are never made after death, the Bible shows.

HOW TO BECOME A SAINT

     Honest preachers will attest to the fact that we are given the ministry of reconciliation that brings people to CHRIST and not the power to make saints. Such bond-servants of the LORD in their bid to lead the perishing world to the mainstream of salvation try to take them step by step to CHRIST, who ONLY can make someone a saint. Therefore, to that boy, man, girl or woman who is desirous to be numbered among GOD’S empire of saints, here are biblical steps to follow:

{1} ACKNOWLEDGE that everyone born into this world {including you} lost the state of saintship as a result of Adam’s sin {Rom. 5:12}.

{2} ACKNOWLEDGE that it is only when CHRIST comes into one’s life in the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT that one is quickened into righteousness to become holy or saint, {Rom. 8:!0-11}.

{3} REPENT OF ONE’S SINS: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out”... {Acts 3:19

{4} CONFESS SUCH SINS: If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, {1 John 1:9}

{5} FORSAKE SUCH SINS: “He that covers his sins shall not prosper , but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy” {Prov. 28:13}

{6} RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR: “But as many as received HIM to them gave HE POWER to become the sons {and daughters} of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS NAME, {John 1:12}.

     In conclusion, “if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us {to become holy or saints} from all unrighteousness,” {1 John 1:8-9}. DON”T BE DECEIVED!.

REFERENCES:

Onyeukwu, Ben {1998}, “How To Become A  Saint”  {First            Edition}, Ben Onyeukwu World Outreach and  Ministries          Nigeria

Boer, Harry {1976}, “A Short History of the Early Church”,            William B. Eardmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A.

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