THE IDENTITY OF THE SAINTS
I CORINTHIANS 1:1-9
INTRODUCTION: D.R. Davies, In Search of Myself, said, “I found myself in finding God. What I was searching for was my own identity, and without knowing it, my search was for God.” We don’t really find our identity until we find it in the God who created us. I want you to know who you are by knowing whose you are!
In this text Paul identifies himself (an apostle of Christ). He also identifies the saints. They were not easily identified as saints. They were Christians. They were also Corinthians. At times they acted more like Corinthians than Christians. Without lashing out at them Paul reminded them of their relationship with Jesus.
We face the same problem today that Paul faced in his time. Some in our churches act more like the world than God’s saints. Often times our practice doesn’t measure up to our profession. It is possible to live on a carnal level rather than a spiritual level. We see all around us the tragedy of low level living. Just how does one identify God’s saints?
From this text we can learn three wonderful lessons. Saints are people who are:
I. Elected to Salvation
Let me use three words as hinges on which to hang this idea.
A. Called (v.1,2,9): Paul was called (Acts 9). Note what Paul wrote concerning our call: Rom. 9:11, 11:5, 7, 28; I Thess. 1:4; II Tim. 2:10: Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1. Peter picked up on this in I Pet. 1:2; II Pet. 1:10. Look at what Jesus stated: Matt. 24:22-24; Mark 13:20-22, 27; Luke 18:7.
The calling refers to an act of God. It is grounded in His choice to save all who will come to Christ.
What about man’s choice? How do I know if I am one of the elect? See v. 2 – “All who call on His name.” Jesus said if you would come He would not cast out; if you would call He would save. See Rom. 10:13. I can’t explain election. Someone once asked C.H. Spurgeon if he believed in election. He replied, “Of course, the Bible talks about the elect.” The facts are, God is sovereign and man is responsible. If you will come and call you are elected. If you won’t come and call why question God? I realize this is a very controversial issue. Some fight it tooth and nail. Just let the Bible say what it says. My job is to preach the gospel and leave the rest with God!
B. Christ: Salvation is in Jesus and Him alone. Nine times in nine verses He is mentioned. The emphasis of Paul is on Christ and Him alone. Paul’s apostleship (v.1), the believer’s sanctification (v.27), grace and peace (v.3-4), confirmation (v.6) are all identified with Christ.
C. Church: “The called out ones.” Saved people are to be church people. In the N.T. when a person was saved he/she became part of a local church (Acts 2:41, 47). The N.T. knows nothing of a person being born again and not being identified with a local church.
Those elected to salvation are identified by their calling, their relationship to Christ and their affiliation with a local church.
II. Elevated to Sanctification
See v.2. Sanctification is a calling. The Corinthians were called to be saints. “Sanctified” = to be separate. The word “holy” comes from the same root word. It does not mean perfect, sinless or superior. It means one who has been set apart for God. Let’s examine this. Look at the:
A. Positional Aspect: The moment a person trusts Jesus he/she is positionally sanctified. See Rom. 8:1.
B. Practical Aspect: Positionally speaking God looks at us as if we had never sinned. Our sins have been washed in the blood of Jesus. But practically speaking we all know we still have an old sin nature. The new nature can do nothing wrong. The old nature can do nothing right. See Rom. 8:12-14; Rom. 7:14-20; Gal. 5:19-26.
Sanctification involves behavior. We have been called to live like Christians not Corinthians. The problem in Corinth was that they were not living very saintly lives. People should be able to identify God’s people by how they live, talk and do. We should always strive to bring our practice in line with our profession.
C. The Permanent Aspect: The word speaks of a completed act. He does not claim us partially, but wholly. Our assurance comes not from our practice but from our position!
III. Equipped for Service
See v. 4-5. God has equipped us for service. “Grace” here is not saving grace but serving grace. The church at Corinth was such a gifted church. God had not shortchanged them. These were “rich Christians.” They should have been living a “lack nothing life.” But, they, like us, had things they didn’t know they had. They had sainthood (v.2), supplies (v.7), strength (v.8-9). We are richer than what we think.
The fact is, God gifts all true churches for His service. Consider the following thoughts.
A. The Origin of the Gifts (v.4, 5, 7): Given by God. They can’t be earned, bought, nor are they to be counterfeited.
B. The Objective of the Gifts: They are to be used to edify the church and glorify God. They were to help Christians to grow spiritually and to minister God’s grace to others while waiting for Christ’s return. See I Pet. 4:10
C. The Operation of the Gifts (v.9): God is faithful to save, keep, strengthen and equip. He expects us to be faithful saints. See I Cor. 1:9, 15:58.
CONCLUSION: Paul identified who they were. They were who they were because of “whose” they were! God’s people are saved, sanctified, and should be servants. You’re either a saint or you “ain’t.” If you “ain’t”, come to Jesus and call on Him. He’s more willing to save than you are to ask. “God’s not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” If you are, live like it! It should never be difficult to identify God’s kids!
