In Christian theology, the question of whether we are saints or sinners is a complex one that has been debated for centuries. The teaching of scripture is that we as fallen human beings, are all fundamentally sinful and are totally incapable of living completely righteous lives. (Rom. 3:10-12, 23). The Bible teaches us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made righteous and holy, solely on the basis of the finished work of Christ (cp. Rom 3:22), and all believers in Christ are called “saints.” It is to the “saints” (the believers in Christ) that Paul addressed his epistles. (1 Cor 1:2, 2:1; Eph 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:1)
The Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, emphasized the position of scripture that “the just shall live by faith,” (Rom. 1:17). Luther’s protest asserted that we are saved by faith alone, and not by works, and there is nothing that we can add to the work that Christ has done. Through faith, we are given the righteousness of Christ. Luther however proclaimed that we are “simul justus et peccator,” meaning that we are “simultaneously justified and sinful,” indicating that we as Christians still struggle with sin. Concerning himself, Paul wrote, “This is a trustworthy statement, and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” – 1 Tim 1:15. It is an undeniable fact, that we as believers in Christ still struggle with sin, but there is also a power at work in us, which is the daily outworking of Christ’s sanctification. We are at present sanctified, but we are yet in the process of being sanctified. This work of God in us will not cease until the end of our lives.
“Systematic Reformed Theology,” which emerged in the wake of the whole of the Protestant Reformation, placed an emphasis on the reality of sin and human brokenness. Sin is a condition, a sickness of the soul that only Christ’s atonement can forgive and heal. The Isaiah 53:5 text, “By his stripes (wounds) we are healed,” is often taught to point to the promise of God that physical healing, was purchased by Christ’s wounds. ie. That we can pray for, and believe in the promise of God concerning healing from sicknesses. This is indeed true. (cp. Matt. 8:17 – more on this later!)
Yet Isaiah 53:5 reveals to us that sin is the sickness of the soul for which Christ was bruised and wounded for. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Is 53:5). Christ suffered and died to heal our “sin sick” souls. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Christ’s blood was shed to forgive us of sins. It was for this He took our punishment.
As believers in Christ, the power of God’s forgiveness and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit at presently at work in our hearts. We must rest on the truth that the God’s justification and forgiveness was a one time act that was settled by Christ’s atonement on the cross. “By his one sacrifice He has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God” – Heb 10:14. If you’ve received Christ, your sins are forgiven, and the work of Christ is producing in you a holy passion for God, and a desire to know Him, to serve Him, and to become like Him.
While we as believers indeed may still struggle with sin, we are called “saints,” of God. This calling in us move us to shun apathy and indifference which will cloud our hearts from pursuing a holy life through the power of the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in that Christ purchased abundant life for us, and it’s through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to live out the calling of God to become more Christlike in our daily lives.
Have you received Christ as the savior of your life? I invite you to personally accept Jesus as your Lord and savior. In prayer you can thank Him for His death on the cross as the payment for all your sins and for His resurrection from the dead, which purchased the power your of eternal life with Him.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – Romans 10:9,10. In doing this, the Bible declares that you’re SAVED, and you are God’s SAINT.
