Saints

Romans 4:2, 3: “If indeed Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast—but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Halloween is coming up—All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Saints’ Day. Christians have always, even from the very first Christians, honored the saints (like St. Paul honoring Abraham). But in honoring the dead saints, we should remember that we can’t do anything for them. If we get so distracted by the dead saints, whether the heroes of faith of millennia ago or those nearer to us, our loved ones and family members, they easily become idols. Instead, take the example of those saints and honor Jesus above them all, having the faith that the Holy Spirit gives us through his certain and firm and joyful Word. We honor the departed saints so that we might be encouraged and grounded in the doctrine of faith, which they taught and believed. And then in our lives, we honor the living saints, our neighbors, serving them in their needs as Jesus served us. Jesus won their eternal life and offers his holiness to them. This is why they may be called “saints.” No holiness is present in any human being, not even you or me, that qualifies us to be called “saints.” But the holiness of Jesus comes in Baptism, it is given in the Word, and it feeds us in the Holy Supper, bestowing on us the title “saint” just as we receive the title “child of God.” Through faith, which itself is just a gift of God, God credits us with righteousness.