Canonization

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2).” 

How is a person recognized as a saint in God’s eyes? Well today marks the day where two former Pope’s, Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, will be canonized. Canonization is the process the Catholic Church uses to name a saint. The Catholic Church is quick to note that Canonization does not "make" a person a saint; it recognizes what God has already done. The process the Catholic Church uses starts after the death of a Catholic whom people regard as holy. From a biblical standpoint, if you are not a saint prior to dying it is too late to be recognized as one.  This is because the Bible clearly states, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).” When a person dies they go before the Lord to be judged, not before a panel of men to determine whether or not they are a saint who lived a holy life. In fact, it is said that a panel of theologians at the Vatican evaluates the candidate to determine whether or not an individual’s life, writings and orthodoxy were worthy of what they call veneration; respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person. This is interesting to me because the Bible says that our works are worthless when it comes to our right standing before God. 

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (Titus 3:4-5).” Beatification is the next step in the process. Beatification is the recognition of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name. The Bible talks about this as well. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).” Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men. There are no dead saints that we pray to in order to “intercede” on our behalf with God. To say that there is only diminishes the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Part of this beatification process is proof that a miracle has taken place after the candidate’s death.  This miracle had to have taken place as a result of a specific petition to the candidate. And apparently there has to have been more than one miracle to have occurred. Personally, this has to be one of the most subjective of the requirements because anybody can say they prayed to someone and received a miracle.  Quite honestly, every time a person accepts Jesus Christ as their savior a miracle occurs. There is nothing more miraculous that can happen to a person then new birth. Jesus Christ specifically said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3).” To have the Holy Spirit of God come to indwell a person, raise their spirit from the dead and make them alive to God is the most incredible miracle anybody will ever experience. And that leads to the conclusion about all of this. Every born again Christian in the world, now and throughout history, is a saint. It is not because a group of people said we lived a holy life after we died. It is not because people felt inspired by our perceived dignity, wisdom, dedication or talent. It is not because someone said they prayed to us and received a miracle. It is only because of our faith in Jesus Christ that we were set apart by God, sanctified, and called to be saints along with every other Christian who names the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God determines who is a saint, not a religious organization.