Should Christians Call Themselves Sinners?

Many Christians describe themselves as "sinners saved by grace." But is that how the New Testament describes believers? In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw examines what Scripture says about our identity in Christ, the difference between our behavior and our identity, and why understanding who God says we are can change the way we live our faith. 

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Transcript

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I'm just a sinner saved by grace. You've said it, I've said it, but should we say it? I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. I don't think most Christians who say that phrase mean anything wrong by it. They're trying to give all the credit to God. They're acknowledging they still need his grace every day. I agree with all of that, but is sinner the primary way the New Testament teaches Christians to think about themselves? Now, before you answer, let me throw out an illustration. If I tell a lie, I don't suddenly start introducing myself as, hi, I'm Bob. I'm a liar. If I lose my temper, I don't make angry man my identity. Those are sins I committed. They're not the truest thing about who I am. I think the same thing applies to Christians calling themselves sinners. Yes, we still sin. There's no debate about that. We all fall short. We all need God's grace every single day. But is there a difference between admitting I still sin and making sin my identity? Paul wrote letters to churches filled with imperfect people. The church in Corinth had division, pride, sexual immorality, all kinds of problems. Yet Paul did not begin his letter by writing, To the sinners in Corinth. He wrote, To those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. Why? Because although they struggled with sin, sin was no longer their identity. Christ was. Second Corinthians 5 verse 17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. When we came to Christ, something changed. We didn't become perfect, but we did become new, children of God, saints, a chosen people. That's how the New Testament consistently describes believers. Now you might be thinking, wait a minute, didn't Paul call himself the chief of sinners? He did. But in that passage, Paul was looking back on the man he had been, a persecutor of the church who violently opposed Christ. He was marveling at the incredible mercy God had shown him. Yet when Paul wrote to believers, he addressed them as saints, God's people, and those who were in Christ. That tells me something about how God wants his children to understand who they are. So yes, I still sin. I still need God's grace every day. But when I think about who I am, I'd rather describe myself the way God describes me. Not because I'm pretending I don't struggle, but because Jesus has already changed my identity. Father, thank you for making us new through Jesus Christ. Help us never minimize our sin, but also never forget who we are because of your grace. Teach us to see ourselves the way you see us and to live in the new identity you've given us. In Jesus' name. Amen. The way we see ourselves often shapes the way we live. I'm thankful that in Christ, our past no longer gets the final word. If you're enjoying Faith Fuel, I'd love for you to follow the podcast and come back for another weekday devotional. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.