No Longer Just a Sinner

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. - Romans 5:8-9 HCSB

A child, who was later named Bob, was left on the doorstep of a hospital and grew up in the care of the state. Bob became a hard-working taxi driver, was a Christian, an exemplary citizen and an excellent husband.

However, one day Bob was informed that a long-lost brother had left a considerable estate in Bob's care. Bob's brother was traveling abroad, wasn't sure when he would return, but wanted Bob to manage his affairs in his absence.

To Bob's considerable surprise, the estate was worth billions! The money could be spent at his discretion, but ultimately the money still belonged to his brother. While he could freely use his brother’s gift, Bob had to remember that one day there would be an accounting.

Bob was still the man he was before his brother granted him access to all that fortune. Whatever character he had before he became wealthy, he still possessed after his inheritance. The difference was that now unlimited possibilities were opened to him. He could educate himself. He could be involved in many new things that could open his mind and elevate his spirit. He could serve others in a way that had once been unimaginable.

When we make the Lord Jesus Christ the sovereign Master of our lives, God adopts us into His family![1] We then have the right to refer to the Messiah as our brother.[2] We become co-heirs with Christ.[3]

We do not inherit a new character with salvation. If we struggled with fear before, we will continue to struggle with fear afterward. The difference is that now previously unknown strength is available. Where we may have struggled for years with a character flaw, the possibility of overcoming that flaw lies at hand!

The Ransomed are still sinners, but not just sinners. God created us and put on us the divine imprint of life. He sent Christ to be our Savior and redeemed us from the sin that separated us from God. Through Christ we are freed from the shackles of sin. He saved us from death and provided us with eternal life.

God can help us today because He makes His grace available. He shows, through His love and grace, what we could become. God can reassure us about our past defeats and failures. He can reinforce us in our present struggles. He can restore our faith in the future. Through God's grace, we can use our powers creatively. We can master life's demands with strength that is beyond human limitations. He enables us to make love the dominant force in our lives.

So, dear brothers and sisters, we have no obligation whatsoever to do what our sinful nature urges us to do.[4]

[1] Romans 8:15-17
[2] Hebrews 2:11
[3] Romans 8:17
[4] Romans 8:12