Sinner? Saint?

Recently, in confirmation class with my daughter, our pastor asked everyone a series of questions.  If the statement was true, we were to stand. If it was false, we needed to sit down.  There were serious questions and silly ones, and people were standing up and sitting down depending on their opinions. Then came this question:  Are you a sinner?  Everyone, of course, scrambled to stand up, knowing they were confident in this answer - we seem to mess up all the livelong day.  We all kind of laughed as we stood there, in agreement that we all were sinners.  While we were all standing, the pastor asked the next question:  Are you a saint?

And almost everyone sat right on back down.  A few people remained standing, but it was a small handful in comparison to the confidence everyone had in their sinfulness.  

Though I was raised Lutheran, it wasn't until college that I recall really hearing about the concept of being simultaneously sinner and saint.  I remember being quite intrigued with the idea.  I certainly knew I was a sinner, but a saint?  Hardly!  

But Luther defines a saint as a forgiven sinner, one who the Father sees though the grace of His Son.  As we celebrate All Saints Day today, one of my absolute favorite days in the church year, we think of those saints who have gone before us, those people who died in the faith and whose rest is won. I think we sometimes romanticize those faithful departed loved ones and those bestowed with the title "saint".  We might often forget that they were people like us -- who struggled, grieved and were tempted in many of the same ways we are.  They were sinners, and simultaneously saints here on earth!

As we think of those saints who have gone before us, may that give us such hope!  They are such an inspiration to us!  Last year on All Saints Day, I wrote the post below.  I hope you take a moment to read the words of the hymn at the end and ponder the lives of those who went before us, and also the great joy that is to be ours as well.  

Sinner?  Yes.  Saint?  Yes, thanks be to God! 

Blogpost from Nov. 1, 2018:

Today is one of my absolute favorite days in the church year.

All Saints' Day. Every November 1st, we get to celebrate those saints -- those who died in Christ -- who went before us.

And when I sing (pray, meditate on) the words of this hymn below, I am almost always reduced to tears. What an example the saints are! They lived their lives -- not perfectly, not without sin -- but they lived their lives with Christ at the center and forefront. They lived their lives fully for Christ. Every Sunday, as we commune, we are united with the saints who have gone before us. Every Sunday, heaven and earth meet as we share Christ's body and blood with those at worship with us, all Christians on earth, and with those saints who are living with Christ in heaven. How beautiful!


Take a moment to read the words below and think about the saints who struggled as we do, who fought here are earth, who never lost sight of Jesus. Those who died in Christ have won! They are brave again, their arms strong. These faithful warriors have been given rest in heaven with Christ. What comfort this gives us! Those who have gone before us -- both "famous" saints who inspire us with their lives of bold faith as well as those quiet saints who lived among us. . . friends, family members. They are in paradise with their Savior!


My dear friends, I have tears streaming as I ponder these words, because they are written for us too! Someday, as our warfare has run long, and our fight has been fierce, a distant triumph song will be in our ears too. And soon, soon to us - His faithful warriors, will come rest. Eternal rest in Christ.


Alleluia, Alleluia!


"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"
by William W. How, 1823-1897 

1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confess,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!