Saints and Sinners

Some people are saints and sinners, while others are just sinners. How do you make the distinction? Actually, God makes the distinction. He sees into man’s heart and knows if they truly believe in Jesus Christ as God in the flesh and have repented of sin and turned to him as Saviour and Lord. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When we truly connect with God, as the Bible says, the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16) Jesus calls this being born again. (John 3:3) When we are born again, our desires are greatly enhanced toward God and our orientation to life is radically changed. We also experience a new power in living and a new power over sin. We learn to walk in the fullness of God’s grace. We will be aware of the difference, although to grow in Christ, we must cooperate with God and his grace in our lives. The Bible calls those who are born again "saints."Ephesians 1:1, etc.) Of course, saints don’t become perfect in practice in this life. Some are saintlier than others, but none do not at times sin. It may be in intent or in corruption, but all need to be progressively purified. Thus, those in Christ are called Saints and sinners. A saint and sinner is what Martin Luther called himself.

Sinners are those who are committed to sin as a lifestyle. They enjoy sin and want to sin and are opposed to God and reject him. They may follow God’s principles for living, but they reject redemption. They, in a sense, follow the way of Satan, who sets himself up as God and is in rebellion against God. These people have set themselves up as the scriptures say as enemies of God. They compete with God. They spurn him and mock him. They think they can earn or deserve redemption. Talking to Christians about their former life, the Bible says,

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Those who are committed to sin will find themselves in eternity separated from God and all that is good and confined to hell. If a person doesn’t like and or love God on earth, why would he want to go to heaven? If you are not devoted to Jesus on earth, you might seem out of place in heaven. If we are ashamed to be identified as a disciple of Jesus on earth, how will it go for you in heaven? As Dallas Willard states, “I am an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe.” This is the identity of every human being. Where will you spend eternity?

There are basically two kinds of people in the world. There are Saints who also sin at times and then there are sinners. Saints have their identity in God in Jesus Christ, and sinners have their identity in sin. Which one are you? If you have your identity in sin, you will prefer hell, at least until you get there.

Read the Bible faithfully and get to know God. Without knowledge, you will not experience his grace. We are to grow in grace and knowledge. These must not be separated; they must be held together like silver and copper melted together.

Would you turn to God in Jesus Christ? Will you receive him as Lord and God in the flesh, and receive the gift of redemption? We can be delivered from the corruption and emptiness of sin and separation from God. Are you willing to recognize his authority in your life and the universe, and are you willing to be guided by him? He does not violate our will, and as the scripture says, he is humble and gentle. “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The burden is light when we are caught up in God’s love.

The Bible says, “To all who receive him he gave the power to become the children of God” (John 1:12). Will you receive him today? Put it off, and the devil will rush in and lull you to sleep. Pray and ask Him to forgive your sin and commit to being Jesus’ public disciple. God will transform you within, if you truly believe and repent of sin. Then you will become a saint who at times sins rather than a sinner. You will enter God’s kingdom and be a part of the family of God now and forever.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).