John 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 John 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Do we call ourselves sinners?

In a recent bible study I heard someone quote the bible accurately and share some substantial truths but include “I am the greatest sinner”. That bothered me, first because it is not true and secondly because that person might not have defined sinner correctly.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia defines a sinner as “one dedicated to sin” while Vine’s refers to it as “one who has missed the mark” but references the overt use of the term by the religiously pious. 

John tells us not to deny we have sin, it exists in our lives, but that does not mean we are willing participants.

The presence of sin does not mean we give in to it. We might find ourselves caught unawares and realize we sinned after the fact. Acknowledge, repent, accept forgiveness and get on with life.

We might have sins that we are not even aware of until the Holy Spirit convicts us of a behavior. Some things we never considered sin until we are made aware that this behavior will no longer be tolerated. No harm, no foul is no excuse to continue in sins that we have been called up on the carpet for doing. That loose tongue for example.

That does not make us willing participants in sinning. Knowing a thing to be a sin and choosing to sin rather than obey our Lord makes us a sinner. We can expect that attitude and those actions to be corrected. He chastises those He loves. Fail to repent and a slap on the hand will be replaced with a belt across the backside. Sin will always have consequences.

I would encourage us all to understand the difference between presence of sin and willful indulgence in sin.

It is easy enough to get tripped up in this walk of faith. The enemy likes nothing more than to trip up a servant of Christ.

Considering ourselves as sinners to begin with just makes it that much easier for the enemy.

We are children of God and betrothed to Christ. Remember that.