Sayings of the Saints
Indeed, all Christians are saints, as the Bible uses the word. But as we know, through the ages the Catholic church usurped that word making it unique for those who lived exemplary lives, at least in the mind of the authorities. To be a saint meant the officials of the church had decided the person fit their criteria and were deemed a “saint.”
So, when I call this Cross Point “Sayings of the Saints” I am using the word in the more Catholic sense, although several of these are Protestants. Now that you know, let’s consider what some had to say.
“Sunday is the day we hold our assembly, the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ on the same day rose from the dead.” Justin Martyr (lived 100-165AD).
“A good youth ought to have a fear of God, to be subject to his parents, to give honor to his elders, to preserve his purity; he ought not to despise humility but should love forbearance and modesty. All these are an ornament to youthful years.” Ambrose (lived 339-397AD).
“You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” And “The world is a book; those who do not travel read only a page.” Augustine (lived 354-430AD).
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in the chariot seat, Christ in the mighty stern.” Patrick (lived 5th century AD).
“Right action is better than knowledge; but to do what is right, we must know what is right.” Charlemagne (lived 747-814AD).
“Let us all, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd who to save his sheep bore the suffering of the cross.” Francis of Assisi (lived 1181-1226AD).
“Now to unite men to God perfectively belongs to Christ, through whom men are reconciled to God.” Thomas Aquinas (lived 1225-1274AD).
“This is the gospel, that sins are remitted in the name of Christ; and no heart ever received tidings more glad than me.” Huldrych Zwingli (lived 1484-1531AD).
“Peace if possible; truth at all costs.” Martin Luther (lived 1483-1546AD).
“Wherever we see the word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists.” John Calvin (lived 1509-1564AD).
"Let no day slip over without some comfort received from the Word of God." John Knox (lived 1514-1572AD).
“I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ for salvation; and an assurance was given that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” John Wesley (lived 1703-1791AD).
“The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” Elizabeth Ann Seton (lived 1774-1821AD)
“Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit” (he’d asked the kids at recess to memorize these on their five fingers). “Now go tell your parents the man who taught you this will be preaching the same gospel tonight.” Walter Scott (lived 1796-1861AD).
There are many more. The question is, do they align with scripture, with what Jesus and his apostles taught? Do the words encourage us toward such, or do they lead us astray? Although some of these don’t directly reflect doctrine, I think they stand solid. Do you have any favorite sayings from Christians down through the ages?
So, when I call this Cross Point “Sayings of the Saints” I am using the word in the more Catholic sense, although several of these are Protestants. Now that you know, let’s consider what some had to say.
“Sunday is the day we hold our assembly, the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ on the same day rose from the dead.” Justin Martyr (lived 100-165AD).
“A good youth ought to have a fear of God, to be subject to his parents, to give honor to his elders, to preserve his purity; he ought not to despise humility but should love forbearance and modesty. All these are an ornament to youthful years.” Ambrose (lived 339-397AD).
“You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” And “The world is a book; those who do not travel read only a page.” Augustine (lived 354-430AD).
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in the chariot seat, Christ in the mighty stern.” Patrick (lived 5th century AD).
“Right action is better than knowledge; but to do what is right, we must know what is right.” Charlemagne (lived 747-814AD).
“Let us all, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd who to save his sheep bore the suffering of the cross.” Francis of Assisi (lived 1181-1226AD).
“Now to unite men to God perfectively belongs to Christ, through whom men are reconciled to God.” Thomas Aquinas (lived 1225-1274AD).
“This is the gospel, that sins are remitted in the name of Christ; and no heart ever received tidings more glad than me.” Huldrych Zwingli (lived 1484-1531AD).
“Peace if possible; truth at all costs.” Martin Luther (lived 1483-1546AD).
“Wherever we see the word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists.” John Calvin (lived 1509-1564AD).
"Let no day slip over without some comfort received from the Word of God." John Knox (lived 1514-1572AD).
“I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ for salvation; and an assurance was given that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” John Wesley (lived 1703-1791AD).
“The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” Elizabeth Ann Seton (lived 1774-1821AD)
“Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit” (he’d asked the kids at recess to memorize these on their five fingers). “Now go tell your parents the man who taught you this will be preaching the same gospel tonight.” Walter Scott (lived 1796-1861AD).
There are many more. The question is, do they align with scripture, with what Jesus and his apostles taught? Do the words encourage us toward such, or do they lead us astray? Although some of these don’t directly reflect doctrine, I think they stand solid. Do you have any favorite sayings from Christians down through the ages?