Our challenge on this All Saints’ Day is the challenge of believing what God actually says about us and to live in a such a way that we trust in God’s words. But I know human nature too well. I know that God’s words can dress us as warriors, but deep inside too often we feel naked like Adam and Eve desperately trying to find refuge in fig leaves. We too often forget that God has already given us his righteousness in His Son. We have forgotten that the Resurrection of Jesus has already clothed us with new life. But we are forgetful saints.
One reason you don’t grasp our status as saints of the Most High God is that you still have not bought into this business of being a saint. Of course, you have Christ and his benefits, but there is little gratitude. You see, it’s likely that some of you take this church and communion business so lightly that your armor can be easily perforated by the slightest touch. And then someone comes to you offering an alternative Gospel and they say, “Look, this Christian business is too heavy for you. Why do you have to wear this armor and carry these swords? Follow us, and all you have to do is be yourself!” When you take the faith lightly, don’t be surprised if you have no idea who you are or what God says about you.
But another reason you don’t grasp God’s delight in you or how God views you is that you are divorced from the life of the body. Imagine if the Apostle Paul, Thomas Cramer, Jan Hus, Nate Saint, martyrs in the presence of God who gave everything, including their lives for this cause were to hear the American rationale for not going to church, for not being involved with God’s people, for not engaging the Bible, and for not fellowshipping. Imagine if they heard, “Oh, but sports are so important for my children.” Imagine if they heard: “Oh, but I just have so many other things to do, and I can’t engage the life of the body or the Word of God.” Imagine if they heard, “But I need to finish up some work on Sunday that I didn’t finish on Saturday.” What vile words those must be if the martyrs could hear them! The men and women who gave everything for the cause of Christ.
For the sake of all the saints, for the sons and daughters of God who go forth to war on behalf of Christ and his Church, will you follow in their train or will choose to let the world define you and the bribery of false sons to speak on your behalf? The truth of All Saints’ Day is that God delights in you! His words are the only ones which ultimately matter! Believe this and rejoice!
