There are all manner of signs, indicators, badges and logos around these days. Everyone wants to be identified in their own unique way, differentiating themselves from others or other groups, or signalling their belonging to their preferred group, or causes. There are fashion labels that we use to send messages, and bumper stickers that show our support for a cause. There are also, of course, the signs of the zodiac by which many people like to identify themselves. “What’s your star sign?”, is a question I have been asked on not a few occasions.
Many people wear a cross, either as a necklace or pendant, or even a ring on their finger, which, I am guessing, is intended to signal to the world that they are a “Christian”. Of course, wearing a cross as some kind of identifying statement doesn’t make you a Christian any more than someone putting on a wedding ring makes them married, or sitting in a hen house makes them a chook. So, there are all kinds of signs by which we wish to be identified or differentiated – t-shirts, windcheaters, badges, and so on.
But what are the signs that us believers are the saints of God? What is the sign(s) or the evidence that properly identifies us as such? The first sign of the believer is baptism. This is a public sign by which we state to the world that we belong to Christ and His body and that the old us is dead to the world for all intents and purposes, and the new person is now alive to God. There’s no turning back – that’s another thing this sign states. Baptism is the first ‘badge’ of sainthood that says, “This one has committed to become a disciple of Jesus – a devoted Christ-follower, with no other life options”. A saint, in other words.
But the apostle Paul details in his letter to the Philippian church the second sign of sainthood.
Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
The apostle instructs the Philippian Christians to live their lives in light of his commitment to Christ, to them, and his imprisonment; and to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, not being afraid of the opposition that comes, remaining confident that God will save them even though they, too, will suffer temporarily because of the gospel.
Did you see the ‘sign’ of sainthood? The ‘badge’ of the believer? The saints of God may well suffer and struggle for their faith, to remain true to Him who has saved us and called us – especially when we face opposition, hardship and even persecution for who we are, and whose we are. We are to remain confident as the people of God despite all this because it is a sign of our salvation. Suffering for our faith, is a sign of sainthood – for us, says Paul, but also a sign to them who oppose us. How we handle the opposition that comes our way, for our Christian faith, is a sign to our opposition. And they will recall that sign when called to give an account for their lives.
There is one final sign that will reflect who we are in eternity – the sign of the overcomers.
Revelation 7:9-14 (NIV)
“After this I [John] looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
So, signs, badges and logos … Can anyone see our sainthood signs? Would anyone know, apart from jewellery, stickers and badges that we are saints of God?
Be encouraged in the struggles and opposition and persecution. Stand firm, remain steadfast for the greatest most joyous sign of who we are and whose we are awaits!
Think on these things.
Ps Milton