Don't get Hoodwinked by this World's Idea of Sainthood

S - Psalm 145:8-14 (NIV): "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

O - The terms in and of this Psalm are inclusive (all is used 6 times) and permanent (all his attributes and actions are in the present, active, indicative).  The only variable in this section of Scripture is who will extol the Lord (personal response to him) and tell about him (personal response to others). All praise him in that willingly or unwillingly his purpose will carry the day (e.g. both Moses and Pharaoh, Peter and Judas "praise" him).  ALL receive from him and all will ultimately comply with his will one way or the other; but it is only the "saint" who engages the relational dynamic of intentional response to him and to others about him.  "Saint" is never used in Scripture to indicate an attainment by human beings.  It is always a relational term involving the actions of God and then the response of humans to his action … and a continued dynamic from both God and humans.  Like the term "married", saint really is a designation focused on an ongoing relationship rather than a status "attained".

A - Am I relying on a "perceived" status (i.e. saint) or growing in a relationship (i.e. saint).  Either of these would only be possible according to God's grace and Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  Only one of them is actually offered by God and his intent in and through Jesus.  Which one is my focus and desire today and every day while it is called today?  The answer is eternally critical and literally the difference between life and death.  I choose the Lord back; I choose the relationship he desires and intends.

P - Lord who is and who loves us all,

Thank you for the truth of who you are and how you respond to all.  Thank you for the privileged place of getting to choose you back though belong to you by right either way.  Lord, today let me be one who is living in you, working with you and responding to you.  Lord, please cause your life and love to come into me and out of me.  Lord, I admit my desperate need and confess my desperate desire of you.  I do love you back.  I am so grateful to be yours and to be in relationship with you.

All my love,

Steve