SINFUL SAINTS
Lord Jesus, we are all sinful saints, true?
My child: 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 NIV
So, even though I am a sinner, I can still have peace with you, is that right?
Dear child: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2 NIV
STANDING ON GOD’S GRACE
Lord Jesus, in my private time with you this morning, I listed out my failures, and all I heard from you are “you are forgiven” and “I love you.” Why are you so gracious and merciful to us sinners?
Child, this is why: “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19 NIV
Now how shall I reconcile the fact that I am a sinner AND a saint?
In this way, my child: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14 NIV
Lord, you word is so rich. The Book of Romans is so profound. I just want to understand how can I be both a sinner and a saint? This dual nature is so hard to fully understand. This is a great summary of what you are saying, right? “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 NIV
CONDEMNATION VERSUS CONVICTION
Child, I do not condemn you for being a sinner. That is what you experienced this morning. Satan and his demons look to condemn, in order to discourage my saints. However, my Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, so that you stay in right relationship with me. Reflect on this: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Lord Jesus, thank you for your Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin. Thank you for not condemning us. Thank you for making us saints. Help us to walk fully in this dual nature, realizing the full extent of our sinfulness, and therefore being completely humbled before you AND recognizing the full extent of our sainthood, so that we can be fully effective for your and your Gospel, as we boldly proclaim: “Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is Lord of All! Amen.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
27 April 2023
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