Christians are More than Just “Sinners Saved by Grace”
The big problem with this Christian cliché
A friend of mine used to say, “Christianity is just one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.” His point was that there was no inherent difference between the lost person and the believer—save that the believer knows Jesus. Another expression that is sometimes used to convey this same idea is, “I am just a sinner saved by grace.”
I should clarify that this statement is not absolutely wrong when it is intended to mean “I cannot contribute anything to my salvation, but am totally reliant on the grace of God to save me.” In this case the statement is true. Consider the following passages of Scripture:
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36, ESV)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — ” (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)
However, I have seen more than a few cases where a person uses the “sinner saved by grace” expression to mean that, though they are a Christian, their life bears no significant distinction from that of a lost person. In this case, the person is wrong about what it means to be a Christian (though they may just be wrong about being a Christian).
Jesus spent nearly the entirety of his first sermon to his disciples (famously, “the sermon on the mount,” Matthew 5–7) explaining that their lives should be distinct from the world for the sake of the gospel.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
In fact, Jesus even goes so far as to say that the righteousness of his followers should surpass that of the religious leaders of the day.
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20, ESV)
He spent the rest of Matthew chapter 5 detailing how his followers should exceed the Law’s requirements. He commanded his disciples not only to be obedient to the outward expression of the Law, but also it’s internal implications.
““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28, ESV)
““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39, ESV)
In fact, the Bible tells us that Christians are significantly different than the rest of the world. The Bible says that we are:
- Children of God (John 1:12)
- The salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13–14)
- More than conquerors (Romans 8:37)
- A chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (I Peter 2:9)
- A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
As followers of Christ, we are distinct from the world because of what God has done for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Since we have been transformed, we should live lives that reflect that transformation.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11, ESV)
In other words Paul is saying “you were a sinner, but now you have been saved by grace.”
Live for Jesus.
