Is Your Identity Sinner or Saint?

If we are born again and have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, are we considered a Sinner, Saint, or Follower of Jesus? Since we inherited the sin nature from Adam Jesus made it clear when he told Nicodemus (John 3), you must be born again! I understand that. Once we’ve experienced the new birth, (Romans 8:14-16) and have been adopted into the family of God we become joint heirs with his son Jesus. We become sons and daughters, and have changed, right? Before Jesus left, to return to the Father in heaven he promised to not leave us alone, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said of you” (John 14:26).  So, if he is living inside of us, he is holy. God hates sin. This Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit abodes in us and is there to direct us in the way that we should go. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, those three persons make one and exist as eternal God. Does this mean all three could be living inside of you and me? Even if it is only Holy Spirit, the fact that Jesus knew no sin and became sin that you and I might be free to come into the Father’s presence and be with Him throughout eternity, that’s a gamechanger!  

So, when we identify ourselves as a sinner; as people, are we saying that the work Jesus Christ did on the cross was not good enough, and was not finished, therefore, we still need to characterize ourselves as sinners? So, why not a sinner, saved by grace? Sin is God’s enemy and Satan’s friend (Hebrews 12:14). God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  Shouldn’t we aspire to be who God says we are? We are Victorious! We are Righteous! We are no longer a slave to sin but Free! We are Chosen! We are Set Apart! We are Justified! We are Redeemed! We are Forgiven!  And We are Adopted! If we choose the mindset that I’m just a sinner, then there is no real reason to rise above and do anything better towards his purpose because being a sinner is who I am and just what I am expected to do. God Forbid!  I choose to identify as Christian, and do not PRACTICE sinning, yes, I may sin but as Holy Spirit checks me, I ask for forgiveness and get it right with God and move on! [Dictionary.com has defined grace as the freely given unmerited favor and love of God. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.] The more we seek to know God’s Word, apply, and share it with others the less time we spend focusing on ourselves and our “sin” as he places within us a burning desire to please and follow him with our whole heart.

What is your perspective, are we sinners or saints? Explain.