Identity Crisis 

In the Culture Church:
Are Believers Sinners or Saints?

There is an identity crisis in our culture. Some men think they are women, and some women think they are men. This confusion over identity is bringing untold chaos into our culture. In 2022, USA Today[1] named a man as one of the Women of the Year nominees. The same week, CNN[2] announced that a man was awarded the NCAA Championship in the women’s 500-yard freestyle swimming event. 

As shocking as this seems, we should not be caught off guard. Our society does not know God. Without God as the foundation, the result is confusion, even over things as basic as knowing that men are men and women are women.  Yet there is NO confusion in God’s Word. Genesis 1:27, So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 

This identity crisis is clear evidence of a godless culture. Unless we return to the Word of God as our foundation, godlessness and confusion will only continue to increase. It has long been said, “He who defines the terms wins the argument.” At this time in America, important terms are being redefined, and those who are doing this “redefining” appear to be winning the argument. The terms “marriage” and “gender” are both being redefined. The Bible always describes marriage as between one man and one woman. In modern dictionaries, however, marriage is now defined to allow for the union of any “two parties” or even “two or more parties.” Also, a man or a woman who identifies as another gender is called “transgender.” 

God created male and female according to Genesis 1:27. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” To join the terms “same-sex” and “marriage” or to use the term “transgender” is only to advance the cause of such ideas. Instead, Christians should stand firm on the Word of God and refuse even to acknowledge such terminology. When two men or two women receive a license to unite together, it is not marriage; it is immorality. As believers, we should not yield an inch regarding the definition of Biblical terms. When God has spoken, that is the final word.

Regardless of what the Supreme Court and our society decide, marriage remains between one man and one woman. A person’s gender is determined at conception, either male or female. These are essential issues in our day, and we must stand boldly for the truth God has made known in His Word. The prophet Isaiah warns those who would redefine words and call what is evil, good. The Prophet writes in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” 

In our society and government, believers stand firmly for the truth of God’s Word. They do not compromise the meaning of terms such as marriage, male, or female. They see plainly that doing so is beginning down the slippery slope to even more confusion. In the same way, Christians must not change the meaning of words God has clearly defined regarding our identity in Christ. Many have unwittingly yielded to the practice of redefining terms. 

This booklet will examine two of these terms: sinners and saints. The goal of this booklet is to help Christians understand their true identity in Christ. Sadly, there is an identity crisis in the church today. Christians do not understand who they really are and how God describes them in His Word.

As Christians, we must always stand for the Word of God, taken in context, on any given issue. Christians must study the Word of God for themselves rather than simply accept what they hear as truth. We must approach issues carefully and recognize that there is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

DEFINITION OF “SINNER”

Let us consider the word “sinner.” Most people, both in our society and in the church, define a “sinner” as “one who sins.” If you go to one of the online dictionaries, such as www.dictionary.com, the definition of a sinner is “a person who sins.”[3] We must ask whether that definition contradicts the Bible’s meaning when it uses the word “sinner.” We cannot be too careful when studying and understanding the Word of God.

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon[4], a sinner is defined as follows:

         1) Devoted to sin, a sinner

                         1a) not free from sin

                         1b) pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament[5] defines a sinner with these words:

The sinner is the man who does not allow God supreme authority over his life and who withholds from Him total dedication and obedience…

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia[6] lists the word for “sinner” as the Greek word “hamartolos,” which means “devoted to sin” or “erring one.” 

According to the Dictionary of Bible Themes[7], “The term tends to be used in particular of those regarded as outside God’s covenant of grace, whose sins are therefore not forgiven.”

The original Webster’s Dictionary, the Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary[8], often uses Biblical examples and verses for its definitions. Under the word “sinner,” we see this definition:

“It is used in contradistinction to saint, to denote an unregenerate person; one who has not received the pardon of his sins.”

These definitions reveal that a sinner is not simply “one who sins” but one who is “devoted to sin.” A sinner is one who has not been set free from sin’s dominion or power in their life (Romans 6:14). Jesus clarifies the issue when he says in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” While it is true that Christians may at times sin, Christians no longer practice sin or make it a manner of life. Christians are no longer slaves to sin. This is consistent with the teaching of the Apostle Paul in Romans 6. Paul writes in Romans 6:22, But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God…”.

DEFINITION OF “SAINT”

In contrast to the word “sinner” in the Bible, the word to describe a true believer in both the Old and New Testament is the word “saint.” The word “saint” is taken from the Greek word “hagios” which means “holy” or “consecrated.” The word describes someone or something that is holy or “set apart” from that which is common or ordinary. We call the Bible the “Holy Bible” because it is unlike any common book. Jerusalem is called the “Holy City” because God distinguishes it from all other cities. In like manner, Old Testament believers and New Testament Christians are called “saints” throughout the Bible.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon[9] defines a “saint” as a “most holy thing.” According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary[10], a saint is “one separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ.”

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary[11] defines a saint with these words, “A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue.”

The words “saints” or “saint” are used between 82-101 times in the Bible, depending on which translation you use. Consider just a few of the uses of the word “saints” in the Bible.                    

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 

Psalm 145:10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! 

Romans 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible consistently calls believers “saints” in the Old and New Testaments. Before conversion, every person is born a sinner and is enslaved to sin. It is the work of God whereby he changes a person from being enslaved or devoted to their sin (a sinner) into a holy person (a saint), one who is set free from sin. This is the regenerating work of God. This is not anything a man can merit by his own works. Rather, God himself changes someone from a sinner to a saint. This is accomplished through justification, regeneration, and sanctification. Justification is the act of God whereby a sinner is declared “not guilty” by God. Regeneration is where a sinner is “born again” and becomes a new creation. Sanctification is the work of God, a two-step process whereby God first sets us apart and calls us saints, and then continues this process of sanctification throughout our lives to make us more holy. A Christian is a saint who is becoming more saintly. 

To summarize, a saint is what God calls those who genuinely believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Sinners are those who are slaves of sin, those who have never been “born again” and set free from sin’s dominion and power. As we will see, the Bible makes an essential distinction between a sinner and a saint. A distinction God makes is not something that we should overlook when describing a believer. 

TWO MEN, TWO INTERPRETATIONS

There can be no question that God uses men to explain and clarify the truth. However, men can also confuse the truth. Even well-intentioned men often confuse and even mislead others about the truth. We must base our beliefs on the Word of God rather than men. For this study, I will share the views of two highly respected men in certain religious groups. Consider what these men say and compare their teachings with the Word of God. 

Martin Luther was a Catholic monk who later became a key figure in the Protestant Reformation. Luther stood on the doctrine of “justification by faith alone” and was eventually excommunicated by the Roman Catholic church. A famous quote of Luther’s which is still held up in the religious world is based on the Latin phrase “Simul Justus et peccator.” This literally means “simultaneously justified (righteous) and a sinner.” While many highly regard Luther, we must still consider and compare his statement within its context and in light of Scripture. The question must be asked: Does Luther’s statement measure up to the Word of God?

Here is Luther’s statement in its immediate context.

Thus, a Christian person is righteous and a sinner at the same time, holy and profane, an enemy of God and a child of God.

From Luther’s statements, we see that he considers a Christian both a friend AND an enemy of God. Such language is not only illogical in the plainest sense but also extremely anti-biblical. To say that a Christian is both holy AND profane is equally contrary to the Word of God. The word “profane” is defined in Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary[12] with such definitions as “irreverent to anything sacred,” “proceeding from a contempt of sacred things,” and “polluted; not pure.” Luther’s blending of opposing ideas in believers is not found anywhere in Scripture. The truth is, a Christian is a saint, a friend of God, and holy. 

In contrast to Martin Luther, John MacArthur is a teacher of God’s Word who has pastored the same church for over 50 years. He offers these comments in his study Bible notes on James 4:8, …Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. MacArthur explains the word sinners as “a term used only for unbelievers.”[13]

In his sermon Drawing Near To God from James 4:7-10, MacArthur says this regarding the word sinner:

Let’s look at the word “sinners.” You see it there in verse 8? “Cleanse your hands, you sinners.” Let me do a little bit of a study of that word for you just so you get your feet on the ground as to who he’s talking about if you still have any doubts. The word hamartloi [sic], the word for sinners, is used in the gospels, and not only in the gospels, but it’s used predominantly in the gospels of the New Testament to refer to the hardened sinner, the one who openly disregards the law of God, the one who had a reputation for public immorality.[14]

Again, in his Study Bible notes on James 5:20, MacArthur states this regarding the term “sinner”: “A word used to describe the unregenerate.”[15] In his sermon, Saving A Soul From Death, MacArthur speaks in no uncertain terms. He says, “This term “sinner” is used – listen to this – only of the unregenerate. It is used in Scripture only of an unbeliever.” He also says, “You come into the New Testament; you find the word is always used with reference to those who are outside the kingdom of God.” Finally, he says, “a sinner cannot be a Christian. While a Christian may sin, he’ll never be characterized as a sinner.”[16]

MacArthur is very clear concerning the meaning of the word “sinner.” There is no uncertainty regarding who is a sinner in his definition. More importantly, the Biblical definition (as seen above) and the whole of Scripture are equally clear. A sinner is always an unbeliever in the Scriptures. Many believers refer to themselves as “sinners saved by grace.” Believers are never called “sinners” in the Bible. The goal of this booklet is to promote carefulness in our study of God’s Word and our speech. We should want to view things as God views them and describe things as God describes them. 

BIBLICAL CONTEXT OF THE WORD “SINNER”

We cannot base our understanding of the Bible solely on the definition of words. Instead, we must be careful to understand the context of both words and verses. The context encompasses not only the chapter but also the entire book, as well as the entirety of the Bible.

To ensure we understand what the word “sinner” actually means, consider the following. The word “sinner” is used 21 times in the Bible, and the word “sinners” is used 46 times (ESV). Below are a few of the references to help us understand how the word is used in the Bible. 

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;                    

Psalm 104:35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!                   

Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 

John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 

Hebrews 7:26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

1 Peter 4:18 If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

These verses are just a small sampling to demonstrate how the word “sinner” is used in the Bible. Interestingly, the Scriptures put a correlation between the word “sinner” and the words “wicked” or “ungodly.” Throughout the Old and New Testaments, these words (“sinner,” “wicked,” and “ungodly”) are used together to describe people who are not genuine believers in God or Christ. 

In the book of Proverbs, the words “sinner” or “sinners” are contrasted with the word “righteous,” showing once again that “sinners” is a description of an unbeliever, not a believer. Examine the following verses:

Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! 

Proverbs 13:21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. 

According to the Bible, there are only two groups of people in the world: those who are Christians and those who are not. We might refer to these two groups in various ways, such as the righteous and the wicked, the wise man and the fool, the saint and the sinner, and believers and unbelievers. 

In Romans 6, we see these two groups of people described with these terms, those who are “slaves of sin,” and those who, having been “set free from sin,” are now “slaves to righteousness.” Those are the only two groups of people in the world. You are either a “sinner” (a slave to sin) or a “saint” (a slave to righteousness). There are no other groups!

Let us now consider some verses from the Bible that show this teaching even more clearly. Consider the following passages from the book of Romans.

Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 

Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 

Romans 7:5-6 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. 

Before a person becomes a Christian, they are “weak,” they are “enemies,” and they are “living in the flesh.” However, once they become Christians, they are changed. Christians are no longer weak; they are strong through Christ. Christians are no longer enemies; they are friends, reconciled to God by the life of Christ. Christians are no longer living in the flesh; they are released from the law, having died to that which held them captive, and they now live in the Spirit. 

Consider one final verse, taken from the same context as the verses above.

Romans 5:8 …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Notice that the exact phrase (while we were) is used in the four verses listed above. These verses give a description of what every Christian used to be, before being born again by the Holy Spirit: we were weak, we were sinners, we were enemies, and we were living in the flesh. However, after salvation, Christians are no longer weak, no longer living in the flesh, no longer enemies, and no longer sinners. Paul shows us that believers are not what they once were. Now they are strong in Christ! Now they are reconciled to God! Now they are living in the Spirit! Now they are saints! Praise God for the wonderful work of Christ and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder the Apostle Paul declares us to be new creations when we are in Christ. We are no longer enslaved to sin and its dominion. Rather, we are set free from sin’s power and made alive to God in Christ. To God be the glory!

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

If God’s Word makes it plain that we are no longer enemies of God, would a Christian ever want to refer to himself in the present as “an enemy of God”? And yet, this is what Luther said in his quote. If you heard a Christian describe himself by saying, “I am an enemy of God saved by grace,” you would be confused. One might say, “I was an enemy of God, but now I am saved by grace.” Likewise, for a Christian to say, “I am only a sinner saved by grace” is an unbiblical statement. Biblically speaking, a Christian could say, “I was a sinner, but now I am a saint saved by grace.” Such a statement exalts the work of Christ in the life of the believer. If Paul told the Christians in Rome that they are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7), why would we still want to be called sinners?

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

An essential point of consideration is how the use of the terms “sinners” and “saints” has changed through the years. The use of these terms in church history is helpful in understanding their application today. According to the book Church History, during the 3rd century, a division arose between two prominent men: Novatian and Cornelius. 

Novatian, known as an “anti-pope,” defended the primitive concept that the church was to be considered a “society of saints.” Cornelius, who was elected as pope in 251, advocated a new view that considered the church as a “school for sinners.”  This view became the popular view and was adhered to by those who followed pope Cornelius. 

“Novatianists built up a network of small congregations that considered the catholic churches polluted as a result of their lenient attitude toward sinners.”[17] Even today, Roman Catholicism views saints as only those whom they declare to be saints after their death. To hold that a believer is still a sinner is a very Roman Catholic teaching that should be rejected by all who believe the Bible. Many who decry Roman Catholicism continue to adhere to one of its firmly held teachings, despite its clear contradiction to the Word of God.

OBJECTIONS TO THIS VIEW

1Timothy 1:15

While various reasons have been presented to demonstrate that believers are not sinners, it is essential to consider any verses that appear to contradict this teaching. There are two primary verses often used to oppose this teaching. The most common objection to this teaching is found in 1 Timothy 1:15, where the Apostle Paul calls himself the “chief” of sinners (KJV) or the “foremost” of sinners (ESV). 

The argument is made that Paul states this of himself using the present tense in the Greek, “I am,” not “I was.” At first glance, this seems like a valid argument. However, we must examine the context surrounding verse 15. Consider 1 Timothy 1:12-16:

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 

Upon examining the context, we find that Paul is magnifying the grace of God in saving one who was so evil before they believed in Jesus Christ. Christ’s saving power was not simply for Paul’s benefit, but for all who would believe after Paul. By saving Paul, Jesus’ power to save is magnified because Christ is shown to be able to save anyone. No one is beyond the reach of Christ’s saving power.

The Greek word translated as “chief” or “foremost” is “protos,” which means “first in time or place.” The word “protos” is the root from which we get the word “prototype.” A prototype is defined as “an original or model on which something is patterned,” or “someone or something that serves as a model or inspiration for those that come later.”[18]

Paul is set forth in this passage as the “prototype” of sinners, the model or pattern of Christ’s power to save. If Christ could save Paul, as evil as he was, Christ can save anyone! In saving Paul, Jesus demonstrated his patience toward Paul and now sets him forth as a “pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (v. 16)(KJV). This is the sense in which Paul is the “foremost” or “chief” of sinners. This is why Paul uses the present tense, “I am chief.” Paul will always be the prototype, the pattern, the example of Christ’s saving power to even the most evil sinner. Paul cannot be saying that he is the “worst” sinner in the present tense. 

Commentator Albert Barnes writes these comments on 1 Timothy 1:16: 

It denotes a pattern or example, and here it means that the case of Paul was an example for the encouragement of sinners in all subsequent times.[19]

Matthew Henry comments on this verse:

The chief of sinners may become the chief of saints; so this apostle was, for he was not a whit behind the very chief apostles (2 Cor. 11:5), for Christ came to save the chief of sinners. It deserves to be received, to be believed by us all, for our comfort and encouragement. The mercy which Paul found with God, notwithstanding his great wickedness before his conversion, he speaks of, for the encouragement of others to repent and believe (v. 16). ...It was an instance of the long-suffering of Christ that he would bear so much with one who had been so very provoking; and it was designed for a pattern to all others, that the greatest sinners might not despair of mercy with God. Note here, First; our apostle was one of the first great sinners converted to Christianity. Secondly, He was converted, and obtained mercy, for the sake of others as well as of himself; he was a pattern to others. Thirdly, The Lord Jesus Christ shows great long-suffering in the conversion of great sinners.[20]

By using the present tense (I am), Paul shows that he will always be the “pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (v. 16, KJV). This explains why Paul uses the present tense to describe himself as the “first” or “foremost” of sinners. This is quite different from saying that Paul remained the “worst” (NIV) of sinners, even after his conversion. If that was his meaning in this passage, why would he exhort the Corinthian church and the Philippian church to be “followers of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17)? To teach that Paul continued to be a great sinner misses the point that Paul is making in the text, that he is and always will be the example of how great a sinner Christ can save.

Consider what Paul said in I Corinthians 15:9-10:

For I am least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Notice that Paul says he is the “least of the apostles” and “unworthy to be called an apostle.” But look at the context of these phrases. He goes on to say it is “because I persecuted the church of God.” Paul’s descriptions of himself are again given in the context of his life before conversion. Notice how Paul describes himself in other letters to the churches. For example, in  2 Corinthians 11:5, Paul writes: For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. (NKJV)[21]  Again, in 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, Paul describes himself in this way:

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you; for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (KJV)

There is no doubt that Paul was a humble man. He considered himself undeserving to be an Apostle because of his former persecution of the church. However, we also know that Paul wrote to the Roman believers and explained that, as Christians, we are no longer “slaves of sin” (Romans 6:17). If Paul was the worst sinner of all men, then was he still a “slave of sin”? 

Consider these words from James Shelley, author of Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross. In chapter 13, “Saint or Sinner,” Shelley says:

Many have argued that since Paul is speaking in the present tense, he is humbly referring to himself as a sinner at that time. But are we to believe that Paul actually saw himself, in practice, as the most sinful man of all men? A greater sinner than Nero who was notorious for his despicable behavior? More sinful than any man in all of Rome, or even those unrepentant Jews who took part in the death of Christ? A man filled with the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, more sinful than these at the present time! If this was his meaning his statement would not be one of humility but of madness! It would be an insult to the Spirit of God and a mockery of His sanctifying work in the believer. No, he was, as the context reveals, referring to his past (v.13), “Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.” Paul’s main point is found in v. 16 “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” In other words, if Christ would be so merciful to save Paul, a persecutor of the church, a blasphemer, an insolent man, the chief of sinners, he would be merciful to any man who turns to Him by faith. Paul is, in the present tense, “the foremost sinner” in that he recognized the unrivaled sin of zealously laboring to overthrow the only hope of mankind. Therefore, he is, and will ever remain, the primary example of how exceedingly gracious God is in the salvation of the repentant sinner irrespective of the extent of their sin.[22]

James 4:8

Another verse often used to show that Christians are “sinners” is James 4:8. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” A surface reading of this verse could lead one to conclude that James is exhorting Christians to “cleanse” and “purify” themselves. However, careful examination of this passage reveals something different. James is referencing the Psalms. Consider these words from Psalm 24:3-4.  Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. David, the Psalmist, is asking these questions in reference to who a true worshipper of God is. Who is qualified to approach the Lord? Who is able to stand in God’s holy place? The answer is clear. “He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” This truth is similarly taught in Psalm 15 as well. David writes in Psalm 15:1-2, O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. When James exhorts his hearers to “cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded,” he is actually calling them to repentance, not rededication. He goes on and urges them to “humble yourselves before the Lord” (James 4:10). These calls to the wicked and unbelievers are seen throughout the book. 

James 4:4  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

James 5:1-6  Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. 

Although such an interpretation may seem to be contrary to long-held beliefs, consider the following comments by two well-respected commentators from days gone by. John Gill, an English pastor and theologian who lived from 1697-1771, describes the “sinner” in James 4:8 with the following words.

…the persons addressed are not the profane men of the world, but sinners in Zion, formal professors, hypocritical persons; who speak with a double tongue to men, and who draw nigh to God with their mouths, but not with their hearts; who halt between two opinions, and are unstable in all their ways…[23]

John Calvin, a French pastor, theologian, and reformer who lived from 1509-1564, expressed a similar thought regarding the “sinners” of James 4:8.

He here addresses all those who were alienated from God and he does not refer to two sorts of men, but he calls the same sinners and double-minded. Nor does he understand every kind of sinners, but the wicked and those of a corrupt life.[24]

John MacArthur, in his sermon on James 4:6-7, provides clarity on what James is saying by explaining this section of Scripture.

Clearly, then, when you come to verse 7, this is an invitation to those people to come to saving faith…The invitation is directed at those who are not saved, those who are still captive to earthly, sensual, demonic wisdom, those who love the world and are the enemies of God, those who, in the terms of verse 5, still are governed by the inner spirit which lusts. In other words, they’re driven by their fallenness. To those who, according to verse 6, are proud, not humble. Those who, to sum it up, are in desperate need of God’s grace. And as I tried to point out to you last time, two weeks ago, this cannot refer to believers, for believers are nowhere in Scripture ever called the enemies of God. Even Abraham back in chapter 2, verse 23, is called the friend of God.

The call James makes to his hearers for a “pure heart” aligns perfectly with the words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus states plainly in Matthew 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Only those with pure hearts are the children of God.

Do you consider your heart to be wicked and deceitful even as one who professes faith in Christ? According to Jesus, only those with a pure heart will see God. The reader is encouraged to imitate the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

One important rule of Bible interpretation is that we should never base a major teaching of Scripture on one verse of the Bible. Can those who claim that Paul is still the worst sinner in the world point to any other verse in the Bible to verify this claim?

Some might turn to Romans 7 to further their argument. However, to do so is only to argue against Paul in Romans 6 where he stated emphatically that as believers, we are “freed from sin” (Romans 6:7) and are “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11) and that “sin will have no dominion over you…” (Romans 6:14). Paul says in Romans 6:18, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Again, in Romans 6:22, But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God…”   For a fuller explanation of Romans 7, read Charles Leiter’s book, Justification and Regeneration.

The beautiful and freeing truth of the whole Bible is that Christians, although born in sin like all mankind, are rescued from that sin by Jesus Christ. By His great love and grace, Christians have been saved from sin. Jesus did exactly what the angel who appeared to Joseph said Jesus would do in Matthew 1:21. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

Why would Christians want to call themselves or other Christians “sinners” when the Bible consistently calls them “saints”? To do so is to denigrate the amazing work of Christ in salvation. Many who do this are sincere and have never taken the time to study the subject themselves. This article is not intended to condemn, but rather to instruct and challenge every Christian to examine these matters for themself. If you have never done a word study on “saints” and “sinners” in the Bible, why not do that today?

ARE BELIEVERS SINLESS?

To teach that believers are not sinners is not to say that believers do not sin. 

Sadly, believers do sin at times. To deny this is to reject the clear teaching of the Bible. However, a believer who sins differs from someone who is enslaved to sin. Paul wrote to the believers in the churches, urging them to pursue holiness and forsake sin. When a believer sins, it is inconsistent with who they are as Christians. It contradicts their very identity in Christ. It is contrary to the new man they have become. When believers view themselves as saints, they acknowledge the work of Christ in them. When we call others saints, we are magnifying the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, which changes one who was dead in sin into one who is alive in Christ.

The Apostle John wrote to the believers in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.” Notice that John does not say “when anyone does sin.” Rather, he says, “if anyone does sin.” “When” implies that sinning is always going to be the case. “If” implies the possibility but not the necessity of sinning. “When” and “if” are two different mindsets. The teaching that Christians “will sin” and the teaching that Christians “can’t sin” are both errors. 

Peter gives us a tremendous promise in 2 Peter 1:3-4. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. Believers have been given power through God’s great and precious promises to live godly lives. Rather than having the mindset that sin is just going to happen, we should cling to the promises of God and live according to Paul’s instruction in Romans 6:11. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

Paul further encourages us that we do not have to sin when he tells the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. The question is often raised, “Can one live the rest of their life without sin?” But that is the wrong question. When you ask the wrong question, you always get the wrong answer. The better question is this. “Can I, as a believer empowered by the Holy Spirit, be victorious over the next temptation that comes my way?” The obvious answer is “yes.” Having the mind of Christ in this matter is essential in overcoming sin in our lives. Rather than viewing sin as inevitable, believe that victory is yours through your faith in Christ.        1 John 5:4, For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 

Thankfully, John does say in 1 John 2:1, …But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. If a believer sins, Christ is there to plead his case before the Father. John states in 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

The reality is that believers will have to fight against sin as long as they are in this body. The Apostle Peter spoke of this fight against sin in 1 Peter 2:11, Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. This is an exhortation that every believer must fight against those inward temptations to sin that Christians will face as long as they are in this body. Paul gives us this clear instruction regarding the fight against sin in Romans 8:13.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Every believer is empowered to put sin to death by the Spirit of God. This is the victory Christ has provided.

For too long, many who profess Christ have made excuses for their sin without realizing it. The teaching that believers are sinners has only further excused sin. May we, by God’s grace, have the same attitude toward sin that Jesus did, a zero-tolerance policy. Jesus made no provision for the flesh to fulfill its desires. That should be our mindset as well. May God help us to strive for holiness in our daily lives. The Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:14-16, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

A NEED FOR PERSONAL STUDY

Whenever we are presented with a teaching from the Word of God, our practice should always be to search the Scriptures for ourselves and not take someone else’s word on it. That is why every reader is encouraged to make this study their own. Before you come to a conclusion regarding your view, take the time to read every verse in the Bible that mentions “sinner,” “sinners,” “saint,” and “saints.” Meditate on those verses and seek to see the contrast between saints and sinners. Search for the meaning of the words and examine their context. Consider the whole of Scripture to see if this teaching is in accordance with the Word of God.  

Sadly, many who call themselves Christians today rarely study the Word of God. Instead, they have grown accustomed to believing what they have been told about the Bible. Most churches have a doctrinal statement or statement of beliefs that they endorse. Often, the members of these churches claim to believe such statements without having studied those teachings for themselves. Ask yourself, “Have I ever really studied the Bible on this subject, and could I give solid biblical proof to show that every Christian is still a sinner?” If not, you most likely have believed what you were taught rather than basing your belief on the Word of God. 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Living out our true identity in Christ is the exciting part of this study. When we actually put into practice the things we learn from God’s Word, we become more like Jesus Christ. This is not about proving a point or winning an argument. Nor is this simply semantics. Knowing our true identity is about seeing God transform our lives into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we grow in the knowledge of the truth. Here are some practical ways to live out this truth of our identity in Christ. 

1) Begin speaking about believers as God speaks of them. God’s Word consistently refers to believers as saints. Our terminology and theology must align with God and His Word. Regardless of our traditions or catchy phrases, we must speak about things as God speaks about them. Calling a Christian a “sinner” is never what God calls a Christian. For believers to refer to Christians as “saints” is not a proud statement. Rather, it magnifies the grace of God and the power of Jesus Christ to transform sinners into saints. It gives glory to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who saves his people from their sin (Matthew 1:21). It is also consistent with what Paul wrote in Romans 12:3:

For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

Many unbelievers will readily admit they are sinners, but then often follow up with the phrase, “but everyone is a sinner.” This is typically done to justify their actions and to demonstrate that they are no worse than anyone else. By explaining that all people are born sinners (enslaved to sin), it can then be shown that through faith in Christ, a person can be set free from sin’s bondage. Christians are now holy, set apart to God (saints) for His service. This also gives an opportunity to explain the new birth and how Christians are a “new creation” in Christ, set free from sin’s power and dominion. This truly is the “good news” of Jesus Christ and the hope that is available to all who believe in Christ.

2) Seek to understand the connection between beliefs and actions. What we believe truly does affect how we live our lives. By learning Biblical truth, we experience more freedom. Jesus said in John 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

Why is it that you won’t find atheists worshiping God? Because they don’t believe in God. Their beliefs affect their actions. Why is it that those who call themselves Christians are often defeated by sin? Because they don’t understand and believe their true identity in Christ as saints. They don’t consider themselves to be what God considers them to be, “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).  Oh, that every Christian would believe what God says about their true identity in Christ as saints.

If a child grows up continually hearing from his parents that he cannot accomplish anything, he will inevitably act in line with that way of thinking. An employee who continually hears from their boss that they are useless and cannot get anything right will most likely not become a top producer. 

Likewise, when those who profess faith in Christ are led to believe that they are just “sinners,” they often excuse their sins and justify their sinful behavior. After all, they reason, “we are all sinners.” Just as we naturally expect teachers to teach and singers to sing, we also expect sinners to sin. However, the Bible teaches that  Christians are saints, or holy ones. How would you expect a holy person to live their life? By being holy! 

3) Examine your own life to ensure that your faith is genuine. Paul challenged the Corinthian church to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). As followers of Christ, we should “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). When we see what God has done for us, it will be a motivator to want to live for Him. Christ is our example, and his attitude toward sin should be our attitude toward sin. We should have a “zero-tolerance” policy toward sin as Jesus did. There should never be an excuse for our sin since the Bible teaches us that we have been given everything necessary for “life and godliness.” God’s Word promises us that in 2 Peter 1:3,  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”.  When we see our true identity in Christ as saints, we are motivated to become what God called us to be.

4) Study the Scripture to make sure that your beliefs are founded on God’s Word and not man’s teaching. There is a deficiency of Biblical understanding in the churches today due to a lack of diligent study of God’s Word. Christians must carefully examine God’s Word to make sure what they believe is consistent with the Word of God. By doing so, they demonstrate true humility. Will you be like the Bereans who examined the Scriptures “daily” (Acts 17:11) to see if what they were being taught was true? Don’t believe what you hear unless you have examined it from the Word of God. Search the Scriptures and see if this booklet and everything else you hear and believe align with the Word of God. Romans 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

5) Share the truths of Scripture with others. Have you been challenged and encouraged by this truth of a believer’s identity in Christ? If so, then speak with others to encourage them as well. Has God been teaching you other things from His Word? Share what God is doing in your life with others. Oftentimes, Christians are reluctant to discuss spiritual topics with other Christians for various reasons. This may be due to a lack of knowledge or simply a more reserved personality. In either case, how will the message of Christ spread to unbelievers if believers are hesitant to even discuss the Scriptures with their brothers and sisters in Christ? 

Christians possess not only the living, powerful Word of God but also the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within their hearts. With Christ as their Savior and God as their Father, Christians should be the most passionate people in the world. May God make us passionate for truth, for the souls of men, and for the glory of God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. 

A Sampling of Scriptures about Sinners

Psalm 1:1  Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Psalm 1:5  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

Psalm 104:35  Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Proverbs 13:21  Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.

Proverbs 14:21  Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Isaiah 1:28  But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

Luke 5:32  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 15:7  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

John 9:31  We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

Romans 5:19  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

1 Timothy 1:9  understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

Hebrews 7:26  For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

1 Peter 4:18  And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

A Sampling of Scriptures about Saints

Psalm 16:3  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 31:23  Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalm 37:28  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 97:10  O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Psalm 145:10  All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

Daniel 7:18  But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.

Acts 9:13  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

Acts 9:32  Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

Romans 1:7  To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Roman 15:25  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.

2 Corinthians 13:13  All the saints greet you.

Ephesians 1:15  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

Ephesians 4:12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Revelation 14:12  Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

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[2] CNN - https://tinyurl.com/5n6enuk4

[3] Dictionary.com - https://tinyurl.com/bdev3744

[4] Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Joseph Thayer, Baker Publishing Group, January 1971

[5]Gerhard Kittle, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, (Wm. B. 

Eerdmans Publishing Company; 10th edition) 1977.

[6] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, https://tinyurl.com/yc27u6yf

[7] Dictionary of Bible Themes, by Martin H Manser, Book Baby, April 1, 1996

[8] Websters Dictionary 1828, https://tinyurl.com/4pzach6j

[9] Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Joseph Thayer, Baker Publishing Group, January 1971

[10] Easton, Matthew George, ed. Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed. N.p., 1897

[11] Websters Dictionary 1828, https://tinyurl.com/43k88s8w

[12] Websters Dictionary 1828, https://tinyurl.com/mrtjmbb4

[13] MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, 1997, p. 1932

[14] Drawing Near To God, John MacArthur, https://tinyurl.com/mrxtzhsj

[15] MacArthur Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, 1997, p. 1935

[16] Saving A Soul From Death, John MacArthur, https://tinyurl.com/yc3draap

[17] Church History, by Bruce L. Shelley, Thomas Nelson, 2012, p. 82.

[18] Merriam Webster Dictionary, https://tinyurl.com/yb5d5pwf

[19] Albert Barnes, Bible Hub, https://tinyurl.com/ya2x7rr7

[20] Matthew Henry, Bible Study Tools, https://tinyurl.com/5n6tdmp3

[21] Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[22] Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross, Copyright © 2012 by James P. Shelly, Published by Publications for Truth.

[23] John Gill’s Commentary taken from James 4:8, ESword

[24] John Calvin’s Commentary, Studylight.org - https://tinyurl.com/mttv7kaf