Devotional Text

Pastor David’s devotional for November 9, 2022

For all the saints:

“For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus be forever best.  Alleluia, alleluia.” (Hymn #711 “For All the Saints” verse 1)

Romans 8:17

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Sometimes I begin a worship service with this greeting: “Good morning, Saints, Good morning sinners!”  Typically, I get a louder response to the sinner part than I do the saint part!  I am guessing that is because it is easier for most of us to identify with sinners than with saints.

The word saint is an interesting word.  It is often defined as a person who is holy or virtuous.  While we often associate saints with those who died, the life of a Christian is one set apart as holy and virtuous.  Holy means different and Christians are called to live a different kind of life—one defined by faithfulness to God rather than compliance to the priorities and temptations of this world.  And we are called to live a virtuous life, one that embodies love.  So, as Christians trying to live a faithful life, we are already saints.  St Paul would add to this that because of the grace and forgiveness of God, we are already different, our sins are washed away, making us virtuous.  We are saints!  Thus, I greet you on Sunday morning with Good morning, Saints, which is more true of us than the second half of the phrase “good morning sinners.”

Last Sunday we celebrated All Saints Day.  While it is true that we are all saints, the celebration of All Saints Day focuses on remembering loved ones who have preceded us in death.  More specifically, it is a time to celebrate The Saints—those who faithfully lived and died as disciples of Jesus Christ.  It is not the person’s death that makes a person a saint—it is the grace of God and the life the person lived!  Many of us have known saints whose lives helped to form us as Christians. I have been so blessed.  I remember Rev. Travis Kendall whose faithfulness become my guide as a pastor.  I remember Ida Easley who, just being around, made me feel closer to God.  I remember Bob Bell, whose life made this world a much better place.  Of course, I could tell stories about each of these people and many more.  And the stories are important, because it is the stories that makes All Saints Day especially meaningful.  So as a way of prompting a time of remembering, here are a few questions to consider:

1. Is there a Saint—someone who has preceded us in death—that you remember today?  What was it about the person’s life that inspires you?  How did the person help you live a better life?  If you could say one thing to the person today, what would it be?
2. Not all saints have died. We are here and very much alive!  So, who inspires you today?  Who is it that by simply being with the person, you feel closer to God?  How does this person’s life impact your life and your faith?  What is it about your life that is different because of this person?
3. What is your first reaction to being called a saint? Do you think of yourself in this way?  Why or why not?  Recognizing that Christians are saints, in what ways do you hope your life inspires others?

God bless you saints!

Pastor Dave