Saint or Sinner?

I've been thinking about Martin Luther's insight into the human nature of Papa's kids: that we are totally saints and totally sinners at the same time.

Most people lean to one side or the other. We are saints--"practically perfect" all the time. Or we are sinners -- pitifully imperfect all the time. Which is it?

The positive among us err on the side of sainthood. We're not that bad. We have a flaw or two but our hallos shine like gold in bright sunlight. We put our best foot forward. We're optimistic about the world, the church, and ourselves. After all is said and done, we're in good shape.

The negative among us err on the side of depravity. We can't do anything right. We fail more than we succeed. We're lost in a sea of selfishness; we're drowning in waters of flesh-driven lust. Sainthood is a losing battle.

Is there a balance?

The truth is we are sinners; it is our nature to sin; our "flesh" sins. This doesn't excuse our sin, but it does help us to admit who we are and to understand what goes on inside us. Before we slide into a pit of despair, let's look at the balancing truth--we are saints.

God said so. Through the sacrifice of Jesus and the transforming power of the Spirit we've been made saints. Not an honorary sainthood, but an actual life-experience of triumph over sin, a radical change in character, and the privilege to partner with God in His kingdom life and work in this world.

Saints no longer live for themselves but to do the will of Papa-God.

Yet, it would be a mistake to believe that sin throws in the towel and gives up. Lust doesn't vanish. Temptations don't lessen. Obvious sins are often replaced with the more acceptable and less visible sins -- "cheap sex, a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage, religion, paranoid loneliness, cutthroat competition, all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants, a brutal temper, an impotence to love or be loved, divided homes and divided lives, small-minded and lopsided pursuits, the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival, uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions, ugly parodies of community" Galatians 5:19-21.

Is there any hope? Sure. "Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed on the compulsions of selfishness" Galatians 5:16.

Saint or sinner?

Both.

"Since this is the kind of life we've chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold on to the idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts but work out its implications in every detail in our lives" Galatians 5:25