As previously stated, sainthood and sanctification are essentially one in the same. The word “saint” defines who one is while “sanctification” defines what one is. It is essential that we understand the relationship between sanctified saints and God’s church. The church (ecclesia) is the global congregation made up of His sanctified saints, among whom are those who claim to be saints but are not. As Jesus said, these are they “… who say they are Jews and are not” (Rev. 3:9). Here Jesus is telling the church at Philadelphia (the only one of the seven churches that He approved) that there were those in their midst who were claiming to be converted but who were not. These people were of the “… synagogue of Satan.” Recall that He said that He would allow the tares to remain among the wheat until the time of harvest (Mat. 13:24-30). Likewise, some people in God’s church, believing themselves to be Christians, will not know that they have been rejected until the Day of Judgment.

As noted, the sanctified saints of God are in His ecclesia–His called out ones who have been spiritually separated from the world to serve as His lights to the world. Some, God said, would “… see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Mat. 5:16). These saints, whom He calls His Very Elect, He also refers to as His “peculiar treasure,” “kings and priests,” His “pure” people, His “holy nation.” (Eccl. 2:8/ 1 Pet. 2:9). Individually and collectively, God’s saints are to be spiritually separated from the world around them. They are singular holy people who comprise a holy nation.

The true seeker of salvation must understand and accept God’s concept of “holy.” Holy is the opposite of sin. Sin is defined by God as “the transgression of the Law” (1 Jn. 3:4). Saints–God’s Very Elect–are set aside for obedience to the Law, which only the ecclesia–His church–does. This is the “work” that is required of them in order to inherit salvation. The Law consists of both the Old and New Testaments. God states this in Ephesians 2:20 where He says through the Apostle Paul that the church is founded upon the teachings of the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles. Actually, the Old and New Testaments are miss-named.  The Almighty has one Testament (testimony/witness–Mat. 24:14), which is His will and testament to mankind. It is through His Testament that one is sanctified (Jn. 17:17). Sainthood, sanctification and salvation all come back to faith in and obedience to the Word of God, which constitute holiness, which is necessary for salvation (Rom. 16:19-23).

“But being a sanctified saint isn’t necessary for salvation,” we are repeatedly told from pulpit and podium, through the mass media, books, c.d’s, pamphlets, etc. We are assured that Faith in God our guarantee of eternal life. Faith, we are told time and again, is the key to salvation–the only key. Is this true?

Contrary to popular opinion, faith alone is not enough to produce salvation. The Apostle James asks: “Can faith save?” (2:14). He answers the question in 1:22: “Be ye doers of the Word (Law), not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Those who believe that faith alone is all that is needed for salvation are deceiving themselves. James was writing to the church about the church, as did all of the apostles and the prophets before them. The prophets spoke and wrote to the “church (ecclesia) in the wilderness of Sinai (Acts 7:38).

God is exacting. He leaves no room for interpretation of His Word, unbelief of His Word or differences of opinion relative to His Word. An old saying is that: “A word to the wise is sufficient.” I say that God’s Word is sufficient for the wise. L.J.