Why Calling Yourself “Just a Sinner” Decreases Your Worth as a Christian

One of the mistakes we can make as Christians is putting more focus on our sinful nature than we do our new self, the one that is forgiven and made clean. We accept the power of sin in our life but downplay the power of God to overcome it. As followers of Jesus, we are righteous because He is righteous. He makes us more than conquerors. We are a holy people because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. So, when was the last time you considered yourself holy?

If you’re like me, you may think words like holy or righteous can’t apply to you. Your past mistakes may especially make you feel undeserving of God’s power in your life. But God’s Word states we are washed clean and made new when we accept His gift of forgiveness. One thing that helped me was to realize it wasn’t something that depended on me. I didn’t have to be good enough or work harder for salvation or to obtain this perfect Christian mantle. It was a gift, the grace of God that saved me and redeemed me.

I could be righteous. I could be holy. I could be one of God’s chosen people simply for accepting His gift of salvation. I was more than my sin. I was a child of God. It wasn’t just about me, but rather He who lived in me. This didn’t mean I could go about my life never worrying about the temptation of sin; it just meant I wasn’t ruled by sin anymore. Instead of lamenting “I’m just a sinner,” you can proudly proclaim, “I am a child of God.”—Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.