Recently, I started to teach a six-week class at church on the book of Colossians and was reminded of the disconnect many Christians have regarding who they are meant to be a believers. I have often heard pastors and teachers say we are “Sinners” saved by grace in one sentence and then move on without giving an explanation of what they meant by that statement. For the average Christian believer, they get a “Mind Set” that that’s who they are and will always be until either Jesus returns or they die and go to be with the Lord. This, however, is far from the truth and often cripples the believer to always live in either a guilt ridden state or a weakened resolve to live as Jesus intended, which is free from a sinful lifestyle.
The apostle Paul often would start his letters with “Saint” in any given location for a reason. It wasn’t just to sound polite or flowery. It was to identify the believer as a child of God with a new nature, cleansed of past sins and starting out fresh and clean with Jesus.
Colossians 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
The word “saint” is not an exclusive New Testament word or concept. Many times writers in both the New and Old Testament used the word to describe God’s people. The word is used over 1,267 times in the NASB bible alone. Paul used the term when addressing the believers in the books of Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians and Philippians. All these build a positive picture in people’s heart and mind.
There is no place in the Bible where the church is referred collectively as “Sinners” but rather as saints. The only time Paul uses the term about himself is referring to his past life when he was not a believer and called himself the worst sinner.
1 Timothy 1:15
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
Many pastors and teachers have been taught themselves that they are sinners saved by grace and gotten stuck with that image of themselves and passed it along to their congregation. The thinking is often to magnify God’s grace at the expense of minimizing the believers who are attempting to walk with God in a trusting way. If we see ourselves a staying sinners we should not be surprised when we continue to sin regularly. We will expect that this is normal behavior as a child of God. Deep down inside many believers have questioned, “If God can save my soul can’t he redeem my soul to live on this earth like Christ rather than like an unbeliever?”
Look at what Paul told Timothy about the goal he should have as teacher communicating towards his listeners.
1 Timothy 1:5-6
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
The point Paul is making to Timothy is some teachers have forgotten what God’s goals was for those who are redeemed by Christ and his sacrifice. It was to create a new person living for the purpose of God who occasionally falters in their walk and needs cleansing.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Earlier in Chapter 6, Paul said that our old self (our old nature) was killed so that we would stop living as a full-time sinner. Now we live as a full-time saint who occasionally falters and sins.
Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
Our Christian life is indeed a struggle because of the habits of our old lifestyle, as well as the people we interact with. Turn on the local or national news and we see how the world lives without God and how they present humanity as being corrupt. They, to a point, motivate us to live less than we are designed for. As Christians we are set free to live a godly life, but that is not a guarantee that we will.
Now, back to the main point of this article on saints or sinners. Paul wants believers to identify rightly with who they are and called to be. Remember Paul was the one that said to be imitators of me as I am of Christ. Our true identity as Christian believers is how we view sin and our relationship with God. A saint rightly understands he or she is not a person who is perfect in their behavior but who as a whole walks with a clean slate with God. We desire to keep short accounts with God and others. If and when we fail, we repent quickly and don’t let sin go unresolved but confess as often as needed.
The apostle John said it best when he talked about the fact that you can’t say you have fellowship with Jesus and walk in darkness. Walking in the light is walking as a saint.
1 John 1:6-7
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; [7] but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
So, if you bought into the lie that you’re just a sinner saved by grace reject that false teaching and embrace the picture of yourself as a child of God walking as a saint. Let the image of who you’re called to be settle into your soul so that you might live like Christ intended. In victory!
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Questions:
1) Have you been calling yourself a sinner saved by grace? Start calling yourself how God sees you!
2) Are you afraid people will think you’re proud for calling yourself a saint? Then tell them that iswho you’re called to be. Remember humility is being willing to be known for who you truly are.
I needed this article today. Great verses and thoughts to meditate on!
Hi Melanie
Thanks for the encouragement that the article was timely!
Pastor Dale