Earning Sainthood?

The man-made religious organization known as the Roman “Catholic” (“universal” - it is not!) Church never ceases to amaze me. For almost 1,400 years, it has morphed and contorted itself to fit almost any society and culture, however depraved and corrupt. While wrapping itself in the myth that it is the “original church” established by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, it bears not the marks of the New Testament church one reads about in the Holy Bible (see here). One of these marks is “sainthood.”

The New Testament proclaims all Christians to be saints or “sanctified ones” (see here). Over and over again the author of the Holy Bible, the Holy Spirit, uses the term “saints” to refer to Christians. (1 Corinthians 16:1). There were no 1st Century A.D. Christians who were not saints. The Roman Church has singled out three categories of people for sainthood: (1) those killed out of a hatred for Christianity (martyrs); (2) those who lived an exceptionally virtuous life (ascetics) and, (3) those who had the reputation of holiness (mystics) for many years after their death. According to this false doctrine, these individuals have earned a place by God’s side in Heaven and can intercede with Him to perform miracles. Now Pope Francis has added a fourth category: “people who had led a good Christian life and done something to save others that they knew would result in certain and relatively quick death” (source).  Some of this sounds very noble, courageous, admirable and inspiring. But it is based upon the false idea that God is a respecter of persons (cf. Acts 10:34) and works of merit. Contrary to some folks in the First Century who were trying to save themselves or gain notice of God by the works of the Law of Moses rather than the Gospel (Ephesians 2:8-10), Christians should show their faith by obeying God and living lives of good works which point to Jesus Christ and not themselves (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB).

How does God view our puny attempts at self-aggrandizement? (Isaiah 64:6; Luke 16:15). I do not mean to impugn the motives of such people, but it sounds like the Roman Church wants one to earn their sainthood. When does this become just an attempt at self-righteousness in God’s sight? (1 Corinthians 13:3). The Roman Church claims that their saints have a readier access to God than others. One may pray to them for help or a miracle. They encourage their members to venerate and pray to these dead people (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:5). This is yet another heresy and departure from the Scriptures. As a Christian, my access to the Father comes through the Son of God (John 14:6,13-14; 16:23-24). This one of the great spiritual blessings we have “in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 4:14-16). I already have a Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) 24/7 and don’t need a saint (or the Virgin Mary) to reach the Father. And we already have the Holy Bible which has been confirmed by miracles (Mark 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Hebrews 2:1-4).

In recent years, the Roman Church has accelerated the process for sainthood. Rather than generations, it now takes a few years. They already have over 10,000  “saints.” But sainthood is not a process, but a right of every Christian. Paul speaking to former sinners who had believed in Jesus (John 8:24), repented of their sins, confessed Jesus as God’s Son (Acts 8:36-37), and been immersed in water for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 18:8) wrote: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11 – Emphasis mine). —Roelf L. Ruffner

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets