The saints are those who are moved by God’s grace to do whatever good they do. Some are married and have intercourse with their spouse sometimes for the sake of having a child and sometimes just for the pleasure of it. They get angry and desire revenge when they are injured, but are ready to forgive when asked. They are very attached to their property but will freely give at least a modest amount to the poor. They will not steal from you but are quick to take you to court if you try to steal from them. They are realistic enough to know that God should get the main credit for the good that they do. They are humble enough to admit that they are the source of their own evil acts. In this life God loves them for their good acts and gives forgiveness for their evil, and in the next life they will join the ranks of those who will reign with Christ forever.

—Against Two Letters of the Pelagians, 3.5.14

I love Augustine’s description of the saints of God. I feel right at home and in good company. Too often when we think of “the saints,” we think of those who attained a holiness that we can only dream about. But here Augustine reminds us that anyone who is in Christ is a saint. Why? It’s not because we are super holy folks but rather because we trust in the promises of God to redeem us through the blood of Christ.