Are you a sinner because you sin?- Or do you sin because you are a sinner?
Theologically, you sin because you are a sinner, not the other way around. Some evangelistic methods seek to get a person to admit he is a sinner by acknowledging that he has sinned. The thought goes that if they can get the unregenerate person to admit he has sinned, then he will see his need for a Savior.
In one sense, this is not a bad approach. Most certainly, if the person has sinned then he/she is in need of a Savior. But a more foundational truth presupposes our list of sins: it does not matter whether we admit we have sinned or not, because there is none righteous. (Romans 3:10-12; Isaiah 64:6)
We are all sinners regardless of whether we can recollect our sins or not. Though it is not possible for a human not to sin, owning up to our sin is not necessary in order for us to be convinced of being a sinner.
I am human = I am a sinner
Sin comes with the package, so to speak
Most certainly there is a difference in the kind and consequences of our sins, but there is no difference from one human to the next as far as being a sinner. Adolf Hitler, Ted Bundy, Rick Thomas, Barak Obama and any other person are all guilty before God regardless of the number, the kind, or the consequences of the sins they have committed. (See James 2:10) God does not see big sinners and little sinners, but sees all of us as sinners.
The only difference in the list of folks above is whether any of them have asked the Savior to regenerate them. Some of them have been regenerated and some have not.
The question is not what sins have you committed, but have you been born again, because you are a sinner in need of salvation. When it comes to regeneration, the primary issue is the sinner in need of a Savior rather than the quality or quantity of our sinning.
Application Questions
- Are you tempted to think of yourself as better than any other Christian? (See 1 Tim. 1:15-16)
- Are you tempted to be unkind to non-Christians for sinning as though they could do something about it apart from the saving grace of God?
- Are you tempted to be unkind to non-Christians for sinning as though you are any better than they are apart from the saving & sustaining grace of God?
Other Articles in This Series
- Problem: Big Sinners vs. Little Sinners – 1.0
- Churches with Big Sinners & Little Sinners – 2.0
- Adult Sinners with Big Problems – 3.0
- Acknowledged Sinners with Inexpressible Gratitude – 4.0
- Big Sinners, Little Sinners & the Worst Sinners – 5.0
Checkout some of our training videos on our YouTube Channel
D. B. said, Love the 2nd question!!! It might be added to the end of that question…. or as though you are any better apart from the saving grace of God?
Thank you, Dianne, for leaving that comment on one of our Facebook Fan Pages. I did re-edit to say this – “Are you tempted to be unkind to non-Christians for sinning as though you are any better than they are apart from the saving & sustaining grace of God?”
Excellent!
Thanks for your discerning reading.
rick
It’s a very good point and we need to remind ourselves of it every day. If you are a Christian and are reading this and need a reminder of how much you still sin even after the glory of the Savior has been revealed to you please pick up Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges and you will be cured (and humbled).
As for the questions:
1) Absolutely I have sinned in that way, even recently. Thinking that I am so great compared to others by virtue of my ministry commitments or sanctification as though I was the origin of it.
2) By the grace of God I do not often fall into this trap.
3) Where I see this pop up in my own heart most often is with people who are intentionally dressing in a way so they will not fit into mainstream society. Just this morning I walked past someone with a tatoo on his neck and thought “you don’t see many bankers with tatoos on their necks.” How self righteous of me. God be merciful to me, a sinner.
Hey Mike!
I know you didn’t write this to draw attention to yourself, but I must say that I appreciate how you are modeling humility here. Your illustration about your morning walk was very convicting while being super-encouraging. You’re right, it is so easy to fall into and I do find myself there more than I wish.
Thanks for trotting out your transparency for the edification of the saints. This was very encouraging!!
rick