Both Saint and Sinner: How Does This Truth Help Me? (Part Four)

Over three other posts (here, here, and here) we have discussed the truth that every Christian is, in this life, both a sinner (Rom. 3:23; 1Tim. 1:15) and a saint (Rom. 1:7; Gal. 3:26-29). We observed that while both terms are used to describe believers, our identification with Christ is primary and determinative in terms of our character, behavior, and hope. Since God has given us the new birth (John 1:12-13), we are being remade in the image of Christ (Col. 3:9-11). Jesus has redeemed us from sin’s penalty and power; therefore, we have power to resist sin and practice righteousness (Rom. 6:15-18). Because the Spirit of God dwells in us, we have confidence in our union with Christ and eventual resurrection (Rom. 8:9-11) and power to resist the fleshly temptations that remain (Rom. 8:12-17).

This is where our discussion of Christian identity becomes practical and helpful. The Bible does not command behavior in order to create a new identity; it commands behavior on the basis of our new identity (Eph. 4:17-24). God speaks to us as a Father, not instructing us how to earn His love and acceptance, but how to live in light of it. Therefore, we ought to hear the commands of Scripture, not with the despair of those under the penalty and power of sin, but as those liberated from it and reconciled to God.

This gives us great encouragement and power for obedience. We obey God ought of joy and gratitude, not slavish fear or terror of His wrath (1 John 4:17-19). God’s work of regeneration and reconciliation, coupled with our union with Christ and the Spirit’s indwelling, shows us we can overcome sin because Christ has defeated it (Rom. 6:1-18).

Anyone who says they cannot do what Scripture commands denies this work of God in their lives. It is unbelief for me to tell God I cannot do what He enables me to do by grace. Can I love my enemy (Matt. 5:43-48)? Yes, I can by grace. Can I forgive my enemy (Col. 3:12-15)? Yes, I can by grace. Can I overcome bitterness, depression, anger, and despair (Eph. 4:25-32)? Yes, I can by grace. The power does not lie in me. It lies in the One who gave Himself for me, who now lives within me (Gal. 2:20; Php. 4:13). Do you trust Him enough to surrender yourself entirely to Him? -JME

Both Saint and Sinner: Which Identity Defines Me? (Part Three)

In two previous installments (here and here) we discussed every believer’s “dual identity” as both saint (Rom. 1:7) and sinner (1Tim. 1:15). Though many vigorously deny it, the Bible uses both terms to describe Christians in this life. But while the Bible describes us as both, it is evident one “identity” is primary in the Christian’s life.

Salvation is more than believing certain facts, saying a prayer, or receiving baptism. It includes a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), adoption as God’s child (Eph. 1:4), redemption from slavery to sin (Titus 2:14), and reconciliation to God (Col. 1:21-22). Salvation is not merely God forgiving what we have done; it is Him changing who we are. We are a “new creation” (2Cor. 5:17). “Our old self was crucified” with Christ (Rom. 6:6); now “Christ…lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). I am a child of God and an heir with Christ (Gal. 4:4-7). Though I sin and fall short, “there is now no condemnation” because I am in Christ (Rom. 8:1).

Because I still sin and realize my imperfection, it is appropriate to describe me as a sinner. But I am not just a sinner, not even primarily a sinner. I am, by God’s grace, a saint. Christ has changed my relationship to Him, and that changes everything. Whereas once I was “foolish, disobedient, led astray” and enslaved to my sin (Titus 3:3), Christ has become for me “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor. 1:30). Though I was dead in my sin “having no hope and without God” (Eph. 2:1, 12), “now in Christ Jesus… [I] have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). I have peace with God (Rom. 5:1), and having been reconciled by Christ, I have eternal life and “will never perish” (John 10:28).

I am a sinner, but that is not who or what defines me. The Bible commands me to live according to the reality of the change God has made in my life (Eph. 4:17-24). God adopted you; live like His child (Rom. 8:12-17). Christ redeemed you; sin no longer has power over you (Rom. 6:15-18). The Spirit dwells in you; don’t live in ways that grieve Him (Eph. 4:25-32). We are not working for grace; we are working from it. -JME

Part Four

Both Saint and Sinner: How Can I Be Both? (Part Two)

Previously we noted the disagreement between some believers regarding the proper identity (or way to identify) Christians. Some insist believers are saints, not sinners, whereas others insist they are sinners, not saints. But we found that the Bible describes Christians in this life as both (Rom. 1:7; 1Tim. 1:15).

How can both ways of identifying believers be true? There are two answers to this question, one relating to justification and the other to sanctification. Justification (God declaring us righteous) is based, not on our merit or work, but on the righteousness of Christ (2Cor. 5:21). Therefore, while God declares us righteous and holy, we are, in fact, personally unholy and sinful at the time (Rom. 5:6-8). We are both saint (by divine declaration) and sinner (by our deeds).

Sanctification (holiness and conformity to Christ) involves the progressive growth in grace as we obey Christ in the power of the Spirit (Rom. 6:16-18; 2Pet. 3:18). But this progressive sanctification is always incomplete in this life (1Jn. 3:2-3). We are becoming more like Jesus, but we are not altogether like Him yet (2Cor. 3:18). We still fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). Therefore, while we are growing in saintliness, we still stumble and are sinners (1Jn. 1:8-10). We are both saint (by trajectory) and sinner (by weakness).

Now some will say that our frequent failures and mistakes as believers should not define us as sinners. I wholeheartedly agree, and that will be our subject in the next installment of this series. But when we sin we are, in one respect, sinners. Paul clearly states, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am [not was] the foremost” (1Tim. 1:15). There is a sense in which even though I am God’s child, I still am properly described as a sinner. My shortcomings are not merely mistakes; they are transgressions against the glory and goodness of God. He loves me. He accepts me in Christ. But I must never view my acceptance in a way that underestimates the gravity of my sin. I am, by God’s grace, a saint, but my appreciation for that grace is all the greater because I realize that I still am a sinner. -JME

Part Three: Which Identity Defines Me?

Part Four: How Does This Truth Help Me? 

Both Saint and Sinner: Two Truths About My Life (Part One)

There are many Christians who have deficient, and sometimes quite dogmatic, views of the proper identity and character of believers.

Saint, Not Sinner: Some insist believers are no longer sinners. Christians do sin, from time to time, they will admit, but they are no longer “sinners” by definition. Instead, they are children of God, united with Christ, and a new creation.

Sinner, Not Saint: Others seem to revel in their fallenness. “I’m no saint,” they seem, almost proudly, to affirm. Though believing in the new birth and having assurance of their salvation, these see themselves primarily in light of their sin.

            Both sides quote Scripture for their view. The “Saint, Not Sinner” will point to Galatians 2:20. The “Sinner, Not Saint will cite Romans 7:25b. So who is correct? Which am I as a Christian?

            Both perspectives express truth about the believer, but both, by making one part the whole, are wrong. Christians are saints, a word which simply means holy one in the Greek NT (Rom. 1:7). We are children of God (Rom. 8:15-16) and are no longer defined by the sinful lifestyle that once held us in bondage (1Cor. 6:9-11). But Christians are also sinners. We continue to “fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). More than that, Paul affirms, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1Tim. 1:15). Not I was the foremost; Paul says I am. Even as a redeemed and reconciled saint, Paul knew he was still a sinner. The truth in this case is not saint or sinner. Every Christian is “Both Saint and Sinner.”

            There are several important, practical implications and applications of this doctrine which I hope to address, by God’s grace, over the next few weeks in brief articles. Here is the plan:

Part Two:    How Can I Be Both Saint andSinner?

Part Three:  Which Identification Should Define Me?

Part Four:    How Can This Truth Help Me as aChristian?