When we think of Saints, we normally think of people who were extra good and who are dead but is this the biblical picture? Let us have a look at the clear teaching of the Bible.

It is interesting that every reference to a saint in the Bible refers to living people, all of these references make one realize that we need to revise our concept of who is a saint. The introductions to Paul’s letters make the point strongly, here are some examples;

To all those in Rome who are loved by God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ro 1:7).

to the church of God sanctified in Christ Jesus that is in Corinth, called to be saints, together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord* and ours. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Co 1:2–3).

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 1:1–2).

to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Col 1:2).

What is fascinating about Paul’s addressing his letters to the saints is that he then goes onto to correct them, these people were not what we would normally call saints. For Paul all those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are saints,not because of anything they have done but rather because of what Christ has made them to be.In becoming Christians they are justified by a holy and gracious God. Because god has declared them to be his holy people he call them saints,he then calls them to live in the good of what they are, as the following verses give evidence,

 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality
(Ro 12:13).

in order that you may be strong enough to grasp together with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
(Eph 3:18–19). .

And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers 12 for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
(Eph 4:11–16).

We are called to be saints,to live godly lives and show forth the righteousness of Christ but we don’t have to perform miracles or be extra pious to be a saint, we are saints because of the grace of God working in our lives. As we realize who we are let us commit ourselves to serving our great and gracious God, praising him for the wonder of our salvation.