For years I have encountered a trend spanning messages from pulpits to the pew. I have repeatedly heard Godās people claim, "I am a sinner."
When confronted by something new, a certain inquisitiveness wells up within me to discover why. As of this moment, I only possess an educated guess.
The best I can surmise is that to characterize Christians as sinners involves some sort of amalgamation of being confessional regarding oneās own failings, as well as to defend against a derogatory āholier than thouā label, plus perhaps a few proof texts yanked out of context such as Romans 7:14-15.
It is true that in describing his pre-Christian history, Paul described himself as the chief of sinners because he had persecuted Jesus’ community. Yet, his old life was crucified with Christ resulting in him becoming someone in Christ who was washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. So what was Paul’s new identity? Saint or sinner?
In contrast to what I have heard, I cannot recall a single time where any of the New Testament authors chose to depict a disciple’s nature as being a sinner or sinful. As far as I can recall, the consistent New Testament voice is quite to the contrary.
In spite of their failings, Paul addressed the churches in Rome, Corinth(!), Achaia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Jerusalem, along with all Christians, as being saints and those sanctiļ¬ed. By describing Christians with this language the apostle identified them as being holy and as having been made holy. Furthermore, they were called to live worthily of the gospel, that is, congruently with their new identity in Christ.
Paul is not alone. Luke, when describing the early church in Jerusalem and Lydda, wrote that they were saints, that is holy. Likewise, both John and Jude refer to Godās people as the holy ones or saints.
Those early Christian voices within scripture had good reason for identifying disciples as being holy, not sinful. Of the many verses which jump to mind, Hebrews 10:14 stands out. Describing the impact of Jesusā sacrifice upon us, the author wrote, āFor by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.ā
When someone calls another disciple or oneself a sinner, does this wield a positive or negative impact toward serving Christ? What if someone is identified as being one who is set apart for God, holy?
I have no desire to undermine nor shortchange the power and efļ¬cacy of Christās blood in our lives. Godās people have been made holy, and we are called to live up to being Godās holy people.
Although we may ļ¬nd ourselves in need of confessing sin and relying upon Christās blood to cleanse us throughout their lives, this does not justify shaping our identity as sinners. Nor should we view ourselves as such. Godās power through Christ has raised us up with Christ as his workmanship to be a new creation.
If the source for calling disciples sinners is not scripture, Christian leaders would do well to spend more time studying Godās word and less time devoted to listening to videos or reading books by their well-intentioned fellow human beings.
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