Dear "Christian Sinner"
8 MINUTE READ
Stephanie Chizoba Odili
July 12, 2024
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"For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."
Romans 7:18-19
I was talking to a friend who is a Christian, (believes, accepts and probably professes the Gospel of Jesus) asking her why she was in a sexual relationship with her boyfriend even though they were unmarried and she knew it was a sin. That conversation opened my eyes to the fact that not just her, but myself and others have been living as Christian sinners.
We believe in Jesus and call ourselves believers or Christians yet we continue to judge, lie, commit adultery, fornicate, engage in sexual perversion, steal, keep malice, hate, gossip, cheat, ignore Gods's voice etc. We are living in a paradox.
Who is a sinner?
A sinner is anyone who has transgressed God's laws or fallen short of His standards of righteousness. This includes every human being, as all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). So, without the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice we would all be sinners. However, those who believe, accept and profess the message of reconciliation are no longer called sinners but are free from sin and are now called saints.
Who is a saint?
The term "saint" refers to all believers in Jesus Christ. The New Testament often addresses Christians as "saints" (e.g., Romans 1:7, Ephesians 1:1) regardless of our level of holiness. Every believer is considered a saint by virtue of their faith in Christ and their status as members of the body of Christ.
With these two distinct definitions and personalities, how then can the two be in one person? The first answer is that there is an ongoing battle between our sinful nature and our desire to live righteously and it seems the former plays out instead of the latter. However—and I hope you forgive me—the second, more prominent reason believers (saints) still act like sinners is because they have not seen and submitted to God as their Lord. They instead submit to their desires and disobey God.
A lot of us do not submit to the Lordship of Jesus, instead we have created and elevated for ourselves a version of Jesus we want. When you hear these phrases:
- “I serve God according to my truth”
- “My relationship with Jesus is personal”
- “I can serve God at home without the church”
- “I pray to Jesus and we have a private relationship that He gets”
- “Me and Jesus understand ourselves don’t worry”
- “Me and God are working things out”
- "That part of the Bible is not something I can accept"
- “I pray personally and trust me God speaks to me”
- “My good cancels out my bad”
- “I know I am saved, all these sins are just struggles God will have to understand”
Know that the person or people who say these have created for themselves a convenient Jesus that is contrary to the Lord Jesus whom we must submit to all of our being to. And by all, I mean all. Your body, heart, soul, time, money, essence, goals, dreams, desires etc. All of your being belongs to God.
And once the devil sees that you do not really know the God you serve or that you don’t have reverence for Him, he will take over and begin to control your words, thoughts and deeds until you come to a place where you live as you like. You begin to choose parts of God’s commands to obey and the ones not to. You begin to filter through His words and thwart doctrines. Until you eventually live life your way yet hoping that since you are saved God will understand.
Unfortunately, dear "Christian sinner", you are abusing grace, you are dishonouring God, you are unsubmitted to Him and you are slowly heading to reprobacy. Though you may have believed and think yourself saved, you will be the one whom Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:23.
A Christian sinner is a paradox, and such a person is deceived by their selfish desires and Satan to follow their own way; they are disobedient to the word of God and His sent people. They are ignorant of the ways of God including of God Himself, and they have become too proud to seek mercy, forgiveness and restoration. This can happen to anyone. It has happened to me and it's probably happening to you or someone you know. All you need to do is look around you.
Does anyone claim to be saved, a Christian and yet lives according to the ways of the world as seen in Galatians 5:19-21? - “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Then they are a Christian sinner.
And what are the consequences?
- Gal 5:21 says such a person will not inherit the Kingdom of God
- Hebrews 10:26-27 says that anyone who deliberately keeps on sinning… should expect judgement.
- Matthew 7:21-23 says that Jesus will tell them plainly on the day of judgement, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
- Romans 1:28 "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done."
None of these are favourable. Nobody wants to accept Jesus then by their own hands reject Him again and be as one who never even believed.
Next steps to take
1. Pray a heartfelt, repentant prayer.
2. Study the word and do ALL He has said.
3. Join and attend a local church for your growth and fellowship with other believers.
4. Develop and maintain a consistent devotional life of prayer, Bible study and fasting so that you do not slip up or slip into sin.
5. Commit to submit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus and of His Word.
6. Get an accountability partner or mentor who will hold you accountable, who you will receive correction from and they can pray for you.
7. Understand the message of salvation in its entirety.
If you are a Christian who is working with the Spirit daily to overcome sin and live under the Lordship of Jesus, then:
1. Continue to obey and pray for grace to be steadfast.
2. Pray for your Christian friends who are living in sin.
3. Pray for the body of the church to live as Christ has asked.
4. Maintain a consistent devotional life of prayer, Bible study and fasting so that you do not slip up or slip into sin. Remember to not fall into temptation and instead be delivered from evil.
5. Preach the message of salvation always and often.
“If being a Christian was a crime, will there be enough evidence to convict you?” - Apostle Emmanuel Iren.
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See you next week by His grace!