Articles
Sinner or Saint
I have often heard Christians refer to themselves as sinners. We say it in casual conversation and also in sermons, invitations and Bible classes. The sentiment is understandable. The world accuses Christians of having a “holier than thou” attitude and we want to counter that by showing we have something in common with all of those in the world. We aren’t so different. It is a statement of humility which is a good thing. After all, God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jam. 4:6). But, is it Biblical for Christians to call themselves sinners?
That’s not an easy question to answer. It isn’t as simple as yes or no. It also isn't the point I’m trying to make. This isn’t about someone being sinful for calling themselves sinners. This is about reexamining whether our language and concepts match up with what is in the Bible.
Paul would refer to himself as a sinner. Most of the time, this is a description of a previous condition (Rom. 5:8). But not always. In fact, he was the foremost sinner and that is stated in present tense (I Tim. 1:15) so it would be hard to complain too much about calling ourselves sinners. It is also true that we must never claim to be without sin (I John 1:8,10). However, at other times, there is a clear distinction between us and sinners. Paul said to Peter, “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles” (Gal. 2:15). Was Paul claiming to be sinless? Had he forgotten what he had done? Or is there sometimes a distinction between having sinned and being a sinner?
Peter also made a distinction between Christians and sinners. While speaking about judgment starting with the “household of God”, that is, with “us” as Christians (I Pet. 4:17), he observes the challenge this would present to the rest of the world. “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?” (I Pet. 4:18 quoting from Prov. 11:31). In this, Peter is making a clear distinction between being righteous and being a sinner. It is not as though Peter had forgotten his sinful deeds, but he managed to see Christians as righteous and the world as sinners anyway. It’s as though there is a difference between not being sinless and being a sinner. A person might sin without being a sinner.
In such instances of distinction, being a sinner is a description not just of having sinned, but of having a broken relationship with God. The person is wicked and in rebellion. Is that how we want to describe ourselves?
Christians certainly can be sinners. James calls out his audience as sinners (Jam. 4:8), but that is stated in rebuke. It is not a term or condition that we would want to embrace.
Note also II Peter 1:9. “For he who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” While we don’t want to become arrogant and forget our sins, that is not what Peter warned against here. He warns against forgetting our purification. THAT is what concerns me. I hear Christians refer to themselves as sinners all of the time. I don’t recall hearing them call themselves righteous or holy or chosen or pure. It is as though we are comfortable with embracing the term of sinner but fearful of embracing those other terms. Those other terms, by the way, are frequently used to describe Christians in the Bible. We are holy (Col. 3:12). We are chosen (I Pet. 1:1). We are saints (Phil. 1:1). Saints means “holy ones”. That term is used of Christians over fifty times in the New Testament (more times than the New Testament even mentions “sinners”).
I can’t say that it is wrong to call us sinners. The humility is admirable. However, we should not fear calling ourselves righteous, holy, blameless, saints, etc. Those are not terms of arrogance as though we have earned such descriptions. They are acknowledgments of the powerful and loving work of Christ on us. He has sanctified us. He has chosen us. He deserves the glory and praise.
By shunning such terms, aren’t we minimizing the work of God? Sure, we don’t want to be arrogant or off-putting to the world. But Jesus has done something amazing. Let’s not forget it. Let’s not hide it.
Are you a sinner or are you a saint?
