Lies You Might Have Heard – Part Two

   If you missed the first post in this series, click here!

 Lie #2 – “I’m just a sorry old sinner saved by grace!”  

Ugh.

Now bear with me if you're getting offended because you say this exact thing, or something similar. I used to say it too, so I'm not here to judge, but to show you what God has shown me. 

The sneaky thing about this statement is that the person saying it believes they are being humble. Being humble is most definitely a good thing, but talking and acting like we’re mere worms is not what God wants from us. In fact, statements like that make God look like He’s some sort of cruel slave owner. If a person has been born again, then they are no longer a sinner, but righteous.

 

The Greek word used in the New Testament for “sinner” means “devoted to sin, not free from sin, pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked.” Christian, that is not you! The Bible says that you have been set free from slavery to sin (Romans 6:6, 22) and you’re now part of His kingdom.

And let me clarify for a moment here…

Just because a Christian sins, does not mean they are a sinner. We still mess up. I’ve messed up today. But, you have to realize that you are made up of three parts – you are a spirit, that has a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and you live in a physical body. 

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

When you were “born again” it was your spirit that was regenerated and made new. Your mind was still full of junk, which is why God told us we need to “renew” our minds by reading His Word (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:26). And this physical body of ours is still corruptible. Only when the “last trumpet” sounds (1 Corinthians 15:52) will our physical bodies be made incorruptible as Jesus’ was. (Read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. It’s good stuff, and there’s even a verse there that talks about how if Christ hasn’t risen, we’re still in our sins…which brings us back to our topic!)

So, I hope by now you’re starting to see that you aren’t some low-life. Believe me; I know that without God we’d be hopeless and helpless. The very world was created by Him, the oxygen we breathe in…we would have nothing without Him. It is only because Jesus gave Himself up for us that we can even have right-standing with God. There’s no question there.

But, my brothers and sisters, would you want your children to throw themselves on the ground in front of you whenever you do something good for them and cry, “But we’re not worthy! We’re just worms at your feet!”? When I do something good for my child, I want her to get excited, not grovel and tell me why she’s not good enough to have it. It’s all about heart attitude. God knows those who cherish Him and those who don’t – you don’t need to grovel – just appreciate!

Now, part of true humility is not getting “too big for your britches.” 

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

It’s wrong to think you’re better than someone else. God doesn’t love your pastor more than you. He doesn’t love the Pope more than you (ducking!). The kind of house you live in, the car you drive, the store you buy your groceries at, and the amount of times you go to church a week do not make you better or worse than someone else in God’s eyes. We need to quit judging other folks, let them deal with their own stuff, and take a look at ourselves in the light of God’s Word. 

But here’s the thing – it’s not wrong for you to think of yourself as holy, royal, and righteous, because God has already said you are.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light… 1 Peter 2:9

Hello? Am I talking to anyone up in here?

Still need more? 

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

We are to approach God boldly! Not haughtily, but with the confidence that comes from knowing you are His child, that He loves you, and He wants you to come to Him.

Humility is all about who you exalt.  Do you brag about yourself, or God? Do you make a big show of yourself, or God? Do you rejoice with others when good things happen for them, or do you start talking about something that you have or that happened for you instead? Remember, it’s all about the heart attitude, folks.

 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2

If your heart is inclined to give thanks to God and to build other people up, you’re good to go! So, the next time you’re talking to someone about your Father in heaven, say something that actually reflects the truth of what God has done for you. For example you could say, “Yeah, I was pretty messed up, but then I let God in, and He made everything new!”

Finally, I encourage you to get your Bible out, open up to the book of Galatians and start locating every verse that says “in Him” or “in Christ” and you will find who you are, and what you have in Christ. Keep on going through all of the letters to the churches. I’m telling you it will change your life!

See you next time!