Who Is a True and Faithful Saint?

Nov 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Call to Follow the Saints in Virtue and Godly Living

To be a true and faithful saint is to actively pursue a life marked by virtue and godly living, following the example of those who have gone before us. This calling is not reserved for a select few, but is extended to all who have been baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit, empowered to live as Christ’s own forever. The invitation is to embrace the grace God gives, striving to reflect His love and character in a world that desperately needs hope and light. The joys prepared for those who truly love God are not distant dreams, but promises for those who walk in the footsteps of the saints, daily choosing faithfulness over convenience. [24:27]

"Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtues and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you." (All Saints' Collect)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you sense God calling you to greater virtue or godly living today, and what is one step you can take to follow that call?

Day 2: Living Out the Two Great Commandments

The life of a saint is rooted in the two great commandments: loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself. This love is not passive or theoretical, but is demonstrated in practical actions—doing good to those who hurt you, blessing those who curse you, and praying for those who mistreat you. Such a lifestyle stands in stark contrast to the world’s values, offering a radical witness to Christ’s transforming power. When believers embody these commandments, they become active saints whose lives point others to the love and mercy of God. [33:57]

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to love right now, and how can you show them Christ-like love in a tangible way this week?

Day 3: The Challenge to Be an Active, Not Lukewarm, Saint

There are different kinds of saints: those who are active and intentional in their faith, those who are lukewarm and only live out their Christianity when convenient, and those who have chosen to blend in with the world’s culture. The challenge is to examine your own life honestly—are you living as an active saint, or have you settled for comfort and compromise? God calls each believer to stand out, to let their faith shape their actions and choices, even when it is difficult or unpopular. The world needs saints who are willing to be different for the sake of Christ. [31:38]

"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area where you have been tempted to blend in with the world rather than stand out as a follower of Christ, and what would it look like to choose faithfulness instead?

Day 4: God’s Presence in Suffering and Hardship

God is present with His people in times of suffering, confusion, and hardship, just as He was with the saints and apostles who have gone before us. The promise of blessing for those who suffer now is a reminder that God sees, cares, and will ultimately bring joy out of pain. Even when circumstances are difficult or the reasons for suffering are unclear, believers can trust that God is near, offering comfort and hope. This assurance empowers saints to persevere, knowing that their struggles are not in vain and that God’s presence is their strength. [35:59]

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." (Luke 6:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what current hardship or area of suffering do you need to remember and rely on God’s presence and promise today?

Day 5: The Power and Responsibility of Every Baptized Believer

Every baptized believer has been given the power and responsibility to live as Christ’s own, sealed with the Holy Spirit and called to make a difference in the world. This identity leaves no room for excuses or passivity; instead, it is a call to action, to let your light shine and to resist hiding your faith out of fear or indifference. When believers embrace their role as saints, they become agents of change, bringing Christ’s love and truth into their communities and the world. Evil thrives when good people remain silent, but when saints step forward, God’s kingdom is made visible. [30:11]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can step out of hiding and actively live out your identity as a saint of God in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the call to sainthood and what it truly means to be a faithful and active saint in a world marked by confusion, violence, and moral ambiguity. The world’s brokenness is evident in the news we hear—stories of violence, injustice, and a culture that often blurs the lines between right and wrong. In such a world, the need for saints—people who live out the virtues and godly living Christ calls us to—has never been more urgent. Each baptized believer has been sealed with the Holy Spirit and empowered to be Christ’s own forever, leaving us without excuse for failing to live as true disciples.

There are, however, different responses to this call. Some embrace it wholeheartedly, living out the two great commandments—loving God with all their heart and loving their neighbors as themselves—both in word and deed. Others are lukewarm, practicing their faith only when convenient, while some choose to conform to the world’s standards, finding the Christian life too demanding. Yet, the gospel challenges us to a radical love: loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, and giving generously without expecting anything in return. This is not an easy path, and it never has been, not even for Christ or the saints who have gone before us.

God’s presence is assured in both our suffering and our joy. The call to sainthood is not about perfection but about striving, even when it is difficult. It is better to try and fail than to hide our faith, for when we remain silent or passive, evil prevails. The challenge is personal: Will we be active saints, lukewarm saints, or dead saints? The answer is found in our daily choices and the visible difference our lives make in the world. If our lives reflect Christ’s love and values, we become active saints, and through us, God’s light begins to transform our communities and the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The world’s brokenness and confusion highlight the urgent need for saints—people who embody Christ’s virtues and godly living. Rather than blaming others for the state of the world, we are called to examine our own roles, whether as perpetrators, silent bystanders, or those who forget our calling as saints. True transformation begins with personal responsibility and a willingness to be different for Christ’s sake. [29:27]
2. Every baptized believer has been sealed with the Holy Spirit and empowered to be Christ’s own forever. This means we have both the calling and the capacity to live as true disciples, with no excuse for complacency. Our identity in Christ is not a passive label but an active commission to reflect His love and truth in all circumstances. [30:11]
3. There are three kinds of responses to sainthood: the active saint who lives out Christ’s commandments, the lukewarm saint who practices faith only when convenient, and the dead saint who conforms to the world. This distinction challenges us to honestly assess our own lives and motivations, recognizing that faithfulness is measured by both belief and action. [31:38]
4. The gospel’s call to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and give without reservation is a radical departure from the world’s values. This way of living is not easy, but it is the path Christ walked and the one He calls us to follow. Our willingness to embrace this difficult love is what sets us apart as true saints. [33:09]
5. God’s presence is constant, whether in suffering or in joy, and He calls us to persevere in our pursuit of sainthood even when it is hard. It is better to try and fail than to hide our faith, for silence and passivity allow evil to flourish. Our daily choices—whether to stand for Christ or blend into the world—determine whether we are active, lukewarm, or dead saints. [37:22]
** [37:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:27] - The Call to Follow the Saints
[25:11] - Who Is a True and Faithful Saint?
[25:57] - Why the World Needs Saints
[26:41] - The Brokenness of Our World
[27:21] - Moral Confusion and Blame
[28:08] - The Impact on Youth and Society
[28:44] - Violence and Personal Responsibility
[29:27] - Our Role as Saints
[30:11] - The Power of Baptism and the Holy Spirit
[30:58] - Three Kinds of Saints
[31:38] - Lukewarm and Worldly Christianity
[32:17] - The Gospel’s Radical Call
[33:09] - Living Out the Great Commandments
[34:43] - The Challenge and Hope of Sainthood
[35:20] - God’s Presence in Suffering
[36:41] - Choosing What Kind of Saint to Be
[37:22] - The Danger of Hiding Our Faith
[38:12] - A Personal Challenge
[38:56] - The Visible Impact of Active Sainthood
[39:37] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Call to Sainthood

Bible Reading

Luke 6:27-36 (ESV)
> “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what are the three kinds of saints described, and how does each respond to the call of Christ? [31:38]
What specific actions does Jesus command in Luke 6:27-36 that set apart the life of a saint from the world’s standards?
In the sermon, what examples are given of the world’s brokenness and confusion that highlight the need for saints? [26:41]
What does the sermon say is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a baptized believer? [30:11]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that sainthood is not about perfection, but about striving and trying, even when it is difficult? [37:22]
How does the call to love our enemies and bless those who curse us challenge the way most people—including Christians—naturally want to respond to hurt or injustice? [33:09]
The sermon mentions that when we remain silent or passive, evil prevails. What does this suggest about the importance of visible, active faith in today’s world? [37:22]
What does it mean, according to the sermon, to be “sealed with the Holy Spirit” and “empowered to be Christ’s own forever”? How should this affect a believer’s daily life? [30:11]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to examine whether we are active, lukewarm, or dead saints. Looking at your own life, which category do you most often fall into, and what are some specific reasons for that? [36:41]
Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to love someone who hurt you or to bless someone who was unkind. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in light of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6? [33:09]
The sermon says it is better to try and fail than to hide our faith. Can you recall a time when you stayed silent about your faith or values? What was the result, and what might you do differently next time? [37:22]
The world’s brokenness is often blamed on others, but the sermon calls us to examine our own roles. In what ways might you be a silent bystander or even contribute to the problems around you? What is one step you can take this week to be a more active saint? [29:27]
The sermon describes the Christian life as demanding and countercultural. What is one area where you feel tempted to “blend in” with the world rather than stand out for Christ? What would it look like to choose differently this week? [32:17]
The sermon asks if our lives are visibly different because of our faith. Is there a specific relationship, habit, or area of your life where you want Christ’s love to be more visible? What is one practical change you can make? [38:56]
The sermon reminds us that God’s presence is with us in both suffering and joy. How can you remind yourself of God’s presence in a current struggle or hardship? Is there a spiritual practice or prayer you can commit to this week? [35:20]

Sermon Clips

“We live in a world where the principle that we live by is might is right. Not caring about what happens, how it affects other people. We live in a world where right or wrong the line is so blur.”

“A world where we prefer and rejoice in telling lies and falsehood as against the truth. where we blame everybody for what is wrong without looking at how many fingers are pointing at us.”

“A world where we rejoice in revenge as against dialogue and forgiveness. No wonder we are in a confused world. a world where we really do we really say we say we love our youth and our young ones but our behavior continues to confuse them.”

“No wonder some of them commit suicide and we blame every other thing in the world for them committing suicide. not really looking at our behavior. We live in a world where, as I said earlier on, violence is the order of the day.”

“If someone if we argue and someone does not agree with us, we take out our gun and shoot. Who can we blame for all this? The answer is simple. Us. You us. each of us.”

“That is the perpetrators, the supporters of the perpetrators, those of us who are silent and afraid to speak up. and all all of us who who for who forget our special role as a saint of God.”

“Let me remind you. Do you know that each of us in this sanctuary right now who have been baptized have been given the power have been sealed with the power of the Holy Spirit to be Christ's own forever. In other words, we have no reason, no excuse not to be who we say we are, that is disciples of Christ, Christians.”

“But I think that before I go beyond myself, I looked at saintthood and I think that there are for my perspective without passing any kind of judgment there are three kinds. There are those who are very active active saints.”

“Those are who actually live a life, a lifestyle that is based on the two great commandments and are very active both by words and action to hold on to proclaim Christ. And there are those who are very lukewarm who only call themselves Christians or accept the fact that they are Christians and live a life of Christianhood when it's convenient.”

“And of course the third third group are those who feel that that lifestyle is too harsh. So they prefer to live by the world's culture. They prefer to dance with a stream irrespective of what it says according to their belief.”

“However, the gospel for today calls us calls as for our attention and reminds us what it means what the life of a saint looks like. It says the following. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate or hurt you. Bless all those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you.”

“If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from everyone who takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you. Do to others as you will have them do to you.”

“That's an expanded version of the two great commandments. Love God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. and to love your neighbors as yourself.”

“I keep saying it, but I it's what gives me hope that if each and every one of us could become active saints, I keep imagining what the world will look like. Can you imagine it?”

“I believe that God in Christ who is calling me and you to be active saints knows that it's not going to be easy. It wasn't easy for him. Neither has it been easy for any of those saints, the apostles who have gone before us. But God keeps calling us and challenging us.”

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