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I've noticed that many of My Protestant Bretheren in Christ sometimes refer to themselves as "Saints". Perhaps I am in error, but this has always struck me as being a tad premature; isn't a Saint someone whom God has delivered into heaven already? Is it correct to refer to someone still living on earth as a "Saint"? I was wondering if any Protestants here would shed some light on this.

I've noticed that many of My Protestant Bretheren in Christ sometimes refer to themselves as "Saints". Perhaps I am in error, but this has always stuck me as being a tad premature; isn't a Saint someone whom God has delivered into heaven already? Is it correct to refer to someone still living on earth as a "Saint"? I was wondering if any Protestants here would shed some light on this.

Dear Swiss_Guard, Holiness or Holy, and Sanctification or Sanctified are the same word. We can sure benefit and realize the effects of that sanctification as we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Hebrews 10:10  "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." We have been been set apart unto God or made holy by receiving Christ. The following scripture show saints to be used in present tense to those referred to.
 
Romans 16:2  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints . .
Romans 16:15  Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. .
1 Corinthians 6:1  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1 Corinthians 16:15  I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
2 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 8:4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
2 Corinthians 9:1  For as touching the ministering to the saints, . .
2 Corinthians 9:12  For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints . . .
2 Corinthians 13:13  All the saints salute you.
Ephesians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
 
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SANCTIFIED as used in Hebrews 10:10

37 agiazw hagiazo hag-ee-ad'-zo
from 40; TDNT-1:111,14; v

AV-sanctify 26, hallow 2, be holy 1; 29

1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
2a) consecrate things to God
2b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
3a) to cleanse externally
3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
 
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HOLINESS as used in Hebrews 12:14

38 agiasmov hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos'

from 37; TDNT-1:113,14; n m

AV-holiness 5, sanctification 5; 10

1) consecration, purification
2) the effect of consecration
2a) sanctification of heart and life

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My thoughts.

The reason that believers do this is because believers are referred to as saints many times in the NT. Look in a concordance and you will see how many times this was done. If you believe the Bible, then you need to believe this. Nowhere does God say that we suddenly become saints through death, that is a man made idea with no basis in scripture.

Thanks for the informative replies, everyone!