October 1, 2015

“You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends* who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Philippians 4:15-23

“The Bible has a lot of saintly things to say about us who are made perfect through Jesus Christ. In the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, we are described as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In John we are the fruit connected to Christ, who is the Vine. In Romans we are joint heirs with Christ, sharing his inheritance. In Corinthians we are a temple a dwelling place of God. In Galatians we are sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ. In Ephesians we are saints, fellow citizens with the rest of God’s family. In Philippians we are citizens of heaven, seated in heaven right now. In Colossians we are hidden with Christ in God. In Thessalonians we are chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. In Peter we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. And in Revelation we are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” We are saints because we have been made perfect through Jesus Christ. George Gallup, famous for his Gallup Polls, wrote a book called THE SAINTS AMONG US, in which he interviewed people from across the nation who apparently have lifestyles that have their friends calling them “saints.” These “saints” are not racially prejudiced, and are more giving and forgiving than most people. It would be great if the people who know us would consider us to be saints. But what is really important is how God sees us and how we see ourselves. We are saints because of Jesus Christ who makes us perfect in the presence of God.” (Daily Devotions, Ron Newhouse)

“It would be great if the people who know us would consider us to be saints.” In this narcissistic world in which we live, I think it is easy for us to find people who like to think they are saints. From the postings on Facebook, the “Tweets” they send out on Twitter, it is easy for any of us to project whatever image of ourselves we want to on any particular day. One day I can post a picture of helping at a food bank, and I am a “saint”. The next I can post a picture of the most recent Penn State Football loss along with a rude comment, and now I am “edgy”. And this may go on every day, week after week after week.

However, each one of us is more than the accumulative picture we paint of ourselves from our Facebook pages, no matter what we try to portray. We are simultaneously “Saint” and “Sinner” — to quote the infamous Joe Paterno, “You’re never as good as you think you are when you win; and you’re never as bad as you feel when you lose.” But as Ron Newhouse says: “…what is really important is how God sees us and how we see ourselves.”

G*d loves us beyond all measure simply because we exist — we are beloved children of G*d, chosen in our baptisms. Now, go live in this knowledge remembering your true identity – a Saint and Sinner loved by G*d.

Pastor Dave