What should be the basic self-identity of a follower of Christ? A very common phrase used as a self-description is “just a sinner saved by grace.” On the first instance, it may be a humble recognition that no human being can stand in the presence of the holy God without the absolute dependence on the underserved favor of God. Indeed, the Bible is clear that it is only by the grace of God that anyone can be rescued from sin and its destructive work in our life (Ephesians 2.8-9).
But I have some concerns about how this self-description is often used. Many times it is uttered in the context of “failure,” when someone calls us to account for attitudes or actions that contradict our claims of faith. In such instances, the use of the phrase sounds more like an excuse for the misconduct. The mindset seems to be that one is still basically a sinner.
I do acknowledge that a follower of Christ will continue to face the challenges of sin’s assault on life, sometimes even succumb to it (1 John 1.7-10). Yet I believe that the New Testament’s overwhelming description of Christians is that they are effectively a new creation in Christ, and therefore “sinner” cannot be the default mode of existence. Let me explain.
A sinner is one whose life is characterized by sin. That is, sin continues to have its way in a sinner’s life. Obviously that cannot be a description of a true follower of Christ. Otherwise, where is the power of Christ over sin and death? Consider the victorious declaration of Paul: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6.17 NIV). It is worthwhile to highlight some phrases.
First, “used to be … have been set free”—as one who now belongs to Christ, the power of sin over my life is (should be) a thing of the past. Then, “have come to obey from the heart”—while disciples of Christ are described as “slaves to righteousness,” the obedience of faith is not coerced but flows naturally from a transformed heart. The enslavement is embraced by the pledge of allegiance of a heart set free in Christ.
Many other passages in the New Testament emphasize this transformed condition as the essential characteristic of a Christian (see for example, 2 Corinthians 5.17 and 1 John 2.8-9). When we embrace the power of Christ to effect the new creation through his Spirit, we no longer will make excuses. Our basic identity is now in the faithful Christ, not in sinful Adam.
—Keith Y. Jainga