From Sinner to Saint
The Gospel not only declares the profound Truth of Jesus’s divinity, death, burial, and bodily resurrection, but also the transformation that occurs through faith in Him. Rooted in the Gospel is the fact that believers are not only forgiven of their sins but are also made righteous in the eyes of God. Let’s delve into the underpinnings that refute the practice of calling oneself a perpetual “sinner" in grace, and highlight the significance of accepting the biblical reality that all born-again believers in Jesus instantly obtain a new identity through faith in Christ.
Liberation from Inherited Sin: Beyond the Fall of Humanity
The notion of being born again and attaining righteousness carries substantial weight, especially in the context of humanity's shared history. While many use the term “born-again” it would be better to say “born from above”. When somebody is “born from above” they are born from Heaven. They are born, for the first time, into the new order of creation. In the Greek, “born again” is two words: (1) γεννάω (gennáō) (2) ἄνωθεν (ánōthen), which literally means to be born from above. The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden marked the inception of sin's pervasive influence on all of humanity. The consequences of that original sin extended beyond the actions of a single pair; it tainted the nature of all human beings. Thus, the struggle with sin is not merely a collection of personal wrongdoings but a reflection of the inherent sinfulness ingrained in human nature. The wages of sin is death. But God made a way out! Jesus gave Himself up willingly on the Cross as the final atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind. So that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). When somebody truly believes the full Gospel, repentance has come, and he or she will instantly be born from above. Now this new creature identifies with the righteousness of Jesus Christ in the eyes of the Father, having His indwelling Holy Spirit. This is the Gospel. This is the gift of God through faith in His Son, Jesus. This is the hope of the promise.
Shedding the Identity of a "Sinner": A Radical Transformation
As Christians, it is imperative that we do not fall into error and mislead others by identifying as "sinners." A sinner is one who is in perpetual sin. This label contradicts the very essence of Christ's transformative work—the very Gospel in which we have professed! Through faith in Jesus, believers become partakers of His righteousness, overcoming the limitations of the fallen nature of humanity, as new creatures in Christ. This transformation does not negate individual responsibility but rather empowers believers to embrace their identity as righteous individuals who are sanctified. When you were saved through faith in Jesus, you were instantly made righteous by your faith in Him. You are called to continue to walk in His righteousness, as one cleansed and made holy by God.
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
- Isaiah 43:25, KJV
The Phenomenon of Being "Born Again": An Instant Change
Being "born again", or born from above, is pivotal in understanding the radical transformation that occurs through faith in Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul revealed by the Holy Spirit that believers are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is a testament to the renewal that transcends surface-level behavioral change. This transformation penetrates the core of our being and our identity, instantly liberating us from the bondage of sin and giving a new life that identifies with God's righteousness and never tastes death. Our identity in Christ is not a refurbished version of the old self; it's a new creature that redefines us at our very core.
Repentance and Transformation: Addressing Sin's Role
Within the context of transformation, repentance emerges as a crucial theme. The distinction between occasional mistakes and a habitual practice of sin is crucial to recognize. The Bible differentiates between genuine repentance and a persistent lifestyle of sin. The latter stands in stark contrast to the transformative power of Christ, underscoring the need for repentance as an active choice toward righteousness. We have free will, which means we are still capable of making poor choices. We are still capable of making mistakes. We are still capable of error. However, we do not glory in mistakes or poor choices. Instead, we turn away from (or repent) those momentary errors of the past, and keep our eyes focused on Christ, to grow into His image in every way. Repentance is not mental assent. Repentance is a complete change of heart or mind, as reflected by one’s way of life. For example, if you are fully convinced eating a whole bag of potato chips at 2 am is wrong, you will never do it again. You have made up your mind once and for all that it does not benefit you in any way, and perhaps does more harm than you ever imagined. Once you make this decision and are fully persuaded to the core of your being not to do this again, repentance has occurred. You are firmly renewed in your mind not to error and you don’t, being so fully persuaded. This is repentance.
The Truth About Persistent Sin
The Scriptures warn against the consequences of persistent sin. Apostle John asserts that the one who practices sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8). This underscores the incompatibility of habitual sin with a life found in Christ. This does not imply immediate condemnation for momentary failures, but it emphasizes the urgency of pursuing righteousness and resisting patterns of sinful behavior. Paul talks extensively about the flesh, which is the antithesis of the new creation in Christ. While on this earth, every Christian will still have to deal with his or her flesh. Everything that opposes the fruit of the Spirit and the work of redemption is of the flesh. It needs to be intentionally dominated and overcome by the power and authority given to every born-again believer in Jesus. When Jesus said in Luke 9:23 to “take up your Cross daily and follow Me”, this is what He meant. We need to buffet the flesh daily. Instead of succumbing to the flesh and the works thereof, Christians should eagerly and confidently take dominion over it with the power and authority deposited into them by their new identity in Christ. When we declare ourselves as "just sinners," we overshadow the grandeur of our divinely bestowed righteousness. Galatians 2:20 declares, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Our identity is not a fractured blend of Christ and sin; it's the exhilarating reality of Christ's righteousness becoming our very identity.
The Gospel's Transformative Power: Hope for Redemption
The transformative power of the Gospel is the core of Christianity. Titus 2:11-12 elucidates that God's grace guides believers to renounce ungodliness and live in accordance with godliness. This transformation is not a result of human endeavor alone but is driven by the Holy Spirit's presence within us, and a choice to yield to Him. This hope of transformation is the way out of the cycle of sin, inviting believers to embrace righteousness as a reality. The righteousness of Jesus is now ours, as those who are born from above through faith in His redemptive work on the Cross at Calvary. We are to shine our light, the light of Jesus, to the whole world to save them from death. How does identifying as a sinner provide any hope to a real sinner who is in the depths of despair? That is why testimonies are so powerful and necessary in evangelism. It is improper for one who is saved to identify as a sinner to a sinner. There is no hope in that for the real sinner who needs hope! It is proper for a Christian to instead say they once were a sinner, but Jesus saved him or her from death, hell, and the grave and totally transformed them. There is POWER in the Gospel! The hope for the sinner is Jesus. He saved, delivered, healed, and set free one who was in bondage to sin (which means habitual sin and the sin imputed to all of mankind), so He can save the sinner who currently resides in darkness, in need of hope and love. To confine ourselves with the notion of perpetual sinners is to diminish the seismic victory Christ accomplished. Romans 8:1 thunders like a battle cry: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Our identity is not one of abject defeat; it's a declaration of our liberation from sin's stranglehold. To belittle this victory with self-deprecating language is to sideline the transformative essence of the Gospel.
Renewal through God's Word: A Counter-Cultural Shift
The renewal of the mind, as advocated in Romans 12:2, is pivotal. Amidst worldly ideologies and human opinions, the renewal of the mind through the Word of God takes precedence. Aligning our thoughts and actions with the Bible rather than conforming to societal norms is essential for a genuine recognition of transformation. If you have no personal recognition of being transformed by Christ, you will be absolutely useless and powerless in the Kingdom of God. Remember, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that everyone born of the Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants (John 3:8). Even though you hear the wind, you can’t tell where it came from or where it is going. Those born of the Spirit need to have faith that they are what the Bible says they are, and believe it to the core. The identity of Christ must be actively known and recognized in every believer. It is a choice to recognize your new identity in Christ, and it requires faith. It so pleased God to arrange salvation this way. It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) and with faith He is pleased and gives accordingly (Matthew 8:13).
Conclusion: Identity Transformed Forever
In conclusion, the Gospel invokes the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The aftermath of Adam and Eve's fall left a indelible mark on mankind, underscoring the need for redemption by a new order of creation. Embracing this redemption, believers renounce the label of perpetual "sinners" and step into their identity as recipients of Christ's righteousness.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
- Isaiah 61:10, KJV
The phenomenon of being "born again" heralds a profound renewal that far surpasses surface-level changes. One is born into an entirely NEW order of creation, that ushers in eternal life, friendship with God, and dominion over all darkness (sin, sickness, death). Repentance and a departure from habitual sin mark the journey of righteousness, while the Gospel's transformative power offers hope for all seeking redemption. As the mind renews itself through God's Word, believers find themselves embracing a countercultural transformation that aligns with the Bible, one of complete renewal and righteousness.