“You’d never believe the things I’ve done.”
This is a common phrase that pastors often hear throughout the course of ministry. All too often, Christians can cling to the idea that trusting in Christ and being regenerated by the Holy Spirit means that they will suddenly live perfect lives. In fact, Christians are often so afraid to admit their sinfulness that they would rather hide it away when in each other’s presence. My question is—why? Does Scripture really teach that believers cease from sinning the moment they are saved?
If we look to the Bible, the answer is actually no! All throughout the New Testament, we see that Scripture teaches two simultaneous realities—that we are new creations in Christ Jesus, but also that our new natures wage war against our old natures in a battle that will not be fully won until the day that we die or until Christ returns to take us home.
We can see these things clearly in the first epistle of John. In 1 John 1:8, the apostle writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” A few verse later, he writes, “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” (1 John 2:1). John warns his readers not to consider themselves free from the influence of sin, but rather encourages them with the promise that Christ stands ready to receive repentant sinners when they stumble and fall!
The apostle Paul wrote of similar realities in the book of Romans, describing the battle that was taking place within him. In Romans 7: 7–25, he describes delighting in God’s law in his inner being but feeling the continual pull of his sinful flesh leading him to do the things he doesn’t want to do. While some teachers have argued that Paul is here speaking of himself before his conversion, I believe this passage reflects the words of Paul the Christian, who—despite his love for God’s ways—still experiences the war that rages within him. Paul writes of a similar reality in Galatians 5:17—“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
We are saints, and yet we are also still sinners. And like the apostle Paul, this is a reality that rightfully troubles every child of God as they seek to follow him in obedience but also recognize their own imperfection. What we will be has not yet appeared, and yet thanks be to God for the promise found in 1 John 1:9—“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!”
All the best,
Luke
