Students are Saints & Sinners
Every Christian continues to endure temptation and sinful desires… sometimes victoriously, and sometimes we indulge our sinful nature. How should we make sense of this?
Sometimes we can get the impression that once we become Christians our lives are immediately characterized by holiness and purity. But that’s just not the case. Sometimes, yes, the Lord graciously frees us from crushing temptations or addictions; but most Christians experience a more gradual and subtle growth in holiness.
I know some people who have seriously struggled with the question, “Am I really a Christian?” because of their lingering struggles with specific temptations (usually sexual temptations). With this in mind, I believe Martin Luther’s theology of Christian identity as “Simultaneously Saint and Sinner” is extremely helpful.
Simultaneously Saint and Sinner
This is the English translation of the Latin phrase Simul Justus et Peccator. This was Luther’s way of making sense of the Christian’s ongoing struggle against the sinful nature.
“Simultaneously Saint and Sinner” means that from one perspective, the Christian is a sinner because of his/her sinful nature and daily battle against temptation. This is why the first of Luther’s 95 Theses states, “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” At the same time, Christians are consistently addressed as saints throughout the New Testament. Those who are “in Christ” have received the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ.
When Students are Sinners
In some previous posts, we have already explored the nature of sin and the workings of temptation. These are helpful ways to guide students in reflection upon the grace we’ve received through Jesus Christ.
How do we pastor students when they profess faith in Christ but continue to sin, sometimes egregiously and with little remorse? Their sin doesn’t always mean they aren’t truly converted. But we should not be shocked when students fall into sins that are especially common among their peers. So, how do we make sense of this for ourselves, for them… and for their parents who aren’t sure how to respond.
Grace for Sinners
First, remember the gospel is the proclamation of grace for sinners.
Paul’s words keep us centered on the gospel: “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This well-known passage comes to us in the context of Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. That’s important. Because it reminds us of Christ’s mission - to seek and save the lost, and to bring them back to peace with God.
Second, our own sanctification is a long term process.
The same is true with teenagers who are just beginning to learn who they are in Christ and what it means to become an adult in a really confusing world. Consider Ephesians 4:2, which encourages us to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” The mature men and women who have ministered best to you were likely people who weren’t freaked out by your sin and your failings, but loved you anyway. Follow that example.
Finally, call students to experience the grace of repentance.
We often think about calling repentance the same way we think about getting the wooden spoon after we misbehave - its punishment after breaking the rules. Calling students away from sin isn’t necessarily about saying “stop that!” Repentance is an invitation to behold the beauty of Christ. What is gained is so much more than what is given up. It is an invitation to turn away from sin and to receive all of God’s loving kindness. The “sacrifice” of repentance is pure grace indeed!
Help Students Live Into Their Identity in Christ
Martin Luther taught that Christians are saints and sinners. Obviously, that applies to teenage Christians too. When youth pastors teach students about this in their youth groups, they empower students to discover gospel-centered, grace-saturated repentance through faith in Jesus Christ. Talk about it with them. Call them away from sin. And don’t think that acknowledging the reality that they will sin gives them permission to do so.
Follow the example of 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
Teach students the promises of God. Proclaim and apply the grace of Christ to students’ sin. And when they seemingly fall into habits of unrepentant sin, call them to repentance, but patiently and with longsuffering.
