“Perhaps the formula that [Martin] Luther used that is most famous and most telling is his formula ‘simul justus et peccator.’ [With this formula], Luther was saying, in our justification we are one and the same time righteous or just, and sinners. Now if he would say that we are at the same time and in the same relationship just and sinners that would be a contradiction in terms. But that’s not what he was saying. He was saying from one perspective, in one sense, we are just. In another sense, from a different perspective, we are sinners; and how he defines that is simple. In and of ourselves, under the analysis of God’s scrutiny, we still have sin; we’re still sinners. But, by imputation and by faith in Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is now transferred to our account, then we are considered just or righteous. This is the very heart of the gospel.”
R.C. Sproul
“I am NOT poor! I am NOT miserable, and I am NOT a sinner. That is a lie from the pit of Hell. That is what I were and if I still was then Jesus died in vain! I’m going to tell you something folks, I didn’t stop sinning until I finally got it through my thick head I wasn’t a sinner anymore. And the religious world thinks that’s heresy and they want to hang me for it. But the Bible says that I’m righteous and I can’t be righteous and a sinner at the same time.”
Joyce Meyer
Let us take a look at what 1 John tell us about one who says they no longer sin:
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us”
(1 John 1:8-10, NASB).
Perhaps Joyce is a bit confused about position vs. experience. Through this confusion, she is endorsing sinless perfection. Todd White is also one who is confused about this as well. Friends, we don’t stop sinning once we are saved. Sinless perfection IS heresy.
We stand before God just and sinner. Here we see the beauty of the Gospel!
Yes, positionally, in Christ, we are declared righteous. This is called imputation.
But rest assured, experientially, we are still sinners and will continue to sin until our very last breath.
Oh, how us sinners do not deserve God’s great mercy to be declared righteous! We stand before Him forgiven, yes, absolutely, but let us not allow the sins that so easily ensnare to entangle us and keep us from walking in His ways.
May we create a habit of repenting quickly and ask the Holy Spirit to help us walk in obedience when we miss the mark. Thank God for the imputation of Christ!
