Daily Devotional

I grew up in a Roman Catholic home and attended Saint Matthew’s Church (as well as it’s elementary school through the 6th grade). I prayed often to Saint Christopher and a host of other “halo-ed” people who had died, including my patron saint, Saint James and my mother’s patron saint, Saint Theresa.  

I was taught at a young age that saints were especially approved people by the Roman Catholic Magisterium. Most often, there needed to be some proof of a miracle in order for them to have the title “saint” conferred on them.

Typically, on November 1, we celebrated All Saints Day. It was the day when we were asked to venerate all the holy men and women who had been canonized by the Catholic Church. The night before—October 31st — was originally called Hallowed Evening (now shortened to Halloween). It was to be a time when we prepared to recognize all the saints of God the next day. How the gathering of candy came into play, I don’t know but, as a child, I munched on those treats “religiously.” The next day, we sometimes went to a special mass, honoring the saints. Given the sugar-high from the night before, I should say we “bounced” to church.

In 1971, as a newly born-again Christian, I began a fervent study of the Bible. There, to my amazement, I discovered that everyone who trusts in Christ Jesus alone for their salvation is deserving of the grand title “saint.” I found scores of verses in the Bible attesting to the fact that every born-again believer (living or now dead) is, in fact, a saint – i.e., a person who has been set apart from the world and made holy by the righteousness of Christ that indwells each of them by faith in Him alone.  In 1 Corinthians 1:2 the apostle Paul wrote: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours…” (cf. Rom. 1:7)

So, on this Halloween Day, may we prepare to reflect on the great truth that we have been called by God to be a saint. As such, we are specifically called to:
 
• Recognize that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as saints (Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 16:1)
• Contribute to the needs of fellow saints (Rom. 12:13)
• Serve others in a way that is acceptable to fellow saints (Rom. 15:25-26)
• Welcome and greet other saints in a manner worthy of saints (Rom. 16:2, 15)
• Practice using biblical discernment in preparation for when we co-reign with Christ as judges (1 Cor. 16:1)  

So, with all this in mind,  I write these precious reminders, not as Pastor Jim but as Saint James to you, my fellow saint…Saint ___________ (Put your name here).