Sinner or Saint continued

In the last post I said that how you answer the question, "Are you a sinner or a saint?" can shape the way you live. I'm talking about Christians here because if you're not a Christian, you are

a) Probably not reading this
b) Wondering why anyone would call themself a sinner or a saint
c) In need of salvation, which is much bigger and more important than what I'm saying right now. You can e-mail me if you'd like to know more about that. But feel free to keep reading.

If you as a Christian believe that after putting your trust in Jesus for salvation you are "transformed" into a forgiven sinner, then I don't think you understand all the talk in the bible about "new life" and how we were dead in our sins, without hope and without God but now we've been raised to new life. How if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. Much more happened when you believed than just God overlooking your sin. You were made new and you are no longer an enemy of God, but His child. He dwells in you. And you are holy. You have everlasting life. And He loves you like crazy! He's not disappointed when you fail but right there with you helping you through it. Think of a dad helping his kid learn to ride a bike.

The change is more incredible than we know. So much more than just His forgiveness! (Just His forgiveness... ??!!) His forgiveness is awesome, and it's what brings us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. And it's all by grace. We don't deserve any of it. Anybody who thinks they deserve to be forgiven, raise your hand. (Just kidding) He forgave us because He loves us. I could say you don't deserve a free sandwich from me, but if I gave you one I hope you would eat it and be thankful, not spend the rest of your life trying to earn it or pay me back. That would kinda creep me out, and it probably has the same effect on God when we try to earn what He gives away for free. (Fine example, huh? Sometimes I fall short)

The forgiveness and the new life He gives us is something to be completely grateful that we've received, not something we spend our lives struggling to obtain. It's free- You can't earn it.

We live differently when we live our lives in gratitude to God for all He's done, all He's made us, all we have to look forward to in eternity, and He allows us to bring the gospel- "good news" to those who haven't heard. And it's better news than we think. Better than we dare to dream! We're God's children and He's not scowling at us, He's smiling!