Saints, not Sinners

While it’s true that saints still sin, we are not called “sinners” in Scripture. 1 Timothy 1:15 is the only place in which a saint is called a sinner, wherein Paul says he is the worst of sinners. Paul was “chief” of sinners – not in the sense that he was worse than others (even after obeying the gospel), but that he was the foremost example showing that salvation is not based on the sinner’s obedience or goodness but totally on the grace of God in Christ. He said he is the foremost sinner, not as a present reality, but as one who won the championship and still holds the record - he is the champion, even though he no longer competes.

In all of the remaining 36 uses of “sinner” in the new testament, all refer to those who are outcast from the Jewish community (in the gospels) or under the wrath of God, such as in Romans 5:8 “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Why would Paul claim that he was the foremost sinner in the present tense when every other use of the word refers to those who are not in Christ?

Saints are not depraved – we have a new nature, are new creatures in Christ. We are freed from the domain of sin, wherein sinners who are depraved and cannot will or do anything good are held. We are not free from the effects or temptations of sin, but we have a new Master and His Spirit dwells in us. How can we be depraved when we are willed and equipped to please God? Sinners are not! This does not blow up TULIP, which describes natural man, not redeemed man. Reformed theology often blurs the line between the two realms, peoples, and covenants; failing to recognize what God prophesied and brought to life in the New Covenant.

Ezek 36:24-28 (HCSB) “For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances. Then you will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.”

We were once God-haters with hearts of stone, unable and unwilling to do good or seek after God. He removed that heart of stone, have us a heart of flesh, turned us into those who love Him and desire to honor Him. Do we stumble and fall, yes. Are we abandoned by our Savior? NEVER! His Spirit wills and equips us to do what is pleasing in His sight. Depraved? None in Christ are depraved. We are redeemed and clothed in His righteousness.

I care not who hears this - it is God's truth and it sets captives free!