A Portrait of a Saint

Colossians 1-15.29
"... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (v.27)

The Christian in whom the fruit of the Spirit is fully evident is the best picture of saintliness that is possible to find.

How would we go about painting a portrait of a saint?

Some people of the Church say that a saint has to have several qualifications -- faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance -- and all of them in an heroic degree.

Others take from Scripture its own list of the virtues acquired in the human soul by the Holy Spirit. They see, in Paul's list an inspired list of the qualities that characterize a saint.

How then does God go about painting a portrait of a saint? His canvas is the Scriptures -- the Word of God. The colors He puts on His palette are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. The absence of any one of these virtues would be serious, for every one is needed if the portrait is to be a masterpiece. These colors, are not pastel shades -- every one is deep and rich and vibrant.

The model He uses is the incomparable example of His own Son, in whom every quality is seen to its utmost perfection and wondrously balanced by every other.

Even now, His brush strokes are at work, gently and lovingly caressing into your nature all the virtue of your Lord's character. All He asks is that you hold still -- that you stop trying and start trusting. Do this -- and in the truest sense of the word, you will become a saint.

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven I pray we hold still and allow You to lead us and not be a busy body by trying to do everything ourselves and in our own power. I pray we allow the Holy Spirit to direct how and when something is to be done. Thank You Lord. Amen

TGIF