Once we are believers, then we are called as 'saints' 

Rom 1:7  To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul dealt with 'sinners' positively. Similarly we need to take note of that. Once we become a believer our tendency should go towards becoming a saint and not remain as a sinner. By obedience this will be a reality. We should not remain a sinner and call ourselves a saint.

Jess, great blog.  You are clear here and I think you have been clear in other blogs as well. 

I like what Paul says in Romans 6 that we are dead to sin which means it doesn't own us anymore. 

When people say they are sinners saved by Grace, I think people are trying to say that it was not works but grace as in Eph 2:8,9. You point out that we should state we are saved by grace rather than saying we are a sinner.  The sin was bought and paid for and is no longer how we are identified.

So positionally, God views us as perfect/sinless with Jesus' shed blood making us clean.  Practically on a daily basis, we need to choose to take up our cross and die to ourselves as we deal with temptation every day. 

I have been guilty of saying I am a sinner before and I thank you for the reminder that this is incorrect.  Have a great week! 

Thanks All!

Thanks Paul.  I'm trying to understand.  I don't see the difference between my viewpoint and yours.  Are we agreeing and don't know it?

Thanks Suzanne.  I agree with Abbas_Daughter's comment, too.

Thanks Brent.  I'm glad to know I clear to someone =D  I think you are right about why many people say they are sinners saved by grace.  For me, I only saw myself as a "SINNER saved by grace", if that makes sense.

Thanks Golden2100.  I don't see Paul using the term saint that way.  I his letters, he writes to the saints at such and such a church, referring to all believers.  I realize not all denominations define saint the same way.  Let's just agree to disagree on this.

Thanks Gene.  I totally agree.  I hope my original blog post showed that.  A friend of mine went to a Baptist university in Oregon.  During their history classes onthe Reformation, he or one of his friends shouted out "Atta Boy, Luther!"  I guess I join that chorus too.

Thanks SeekerSA.  I also agree to that.  Since I'm posting this to clarify myself, I'd appreciate your help.  Did my original post seem to say something different?

Thanks Brad.  I totally agree.  For me, the proof of the identity stuff above, is that we can approach God's throne boldly.  Adam and Eve were the first people to feel shame, and it made them run from God.  He sees us through Jesus (I'll never wrap my mind around that, but I can accept it).

Your in ministry so you can keep the change ;) 

Jess wrote, "Are we sinners?  I don't think Paul says that."  I like a challenge ;)  Try 1 Timothy 1:15 on for size ;)

Jess wrote, "Do I define myself by my weaknesses? I can't find an example where Paul does this."  Another challenge!  Try Romans 7:14 -- "I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin."  Gal 2:17 is a bit of a stretch.  1 Tim 1:16 might be better.  Nevertheless, I think your statement holds.  I thought a bit on this one.  I have a suggestion that might not be right:  The people Paul spoke to understood was sin was.  The people we speak to today do not know what sin is, so require some "pre-evangelism," and me calling myself a sinner, describing my old life, and what I've been saved from might be a good thing to do in this generation.

Also, confessing current sins is a way of "keepin' it real."  We're not Jesus.  We still screw up (Rom 6-7 as many pointed out).  But ultimately, I agree with Gene, our identity is in Jesus.  On the third hand...that's just the end of the story.  What about the beginning?  Heh, I dunno what to say, Jess!  Good comments all around here.

Gary R. Thomas, you describe the "seven deadly sins" well, but they are more than what you've said.  In Catholic tradition, these sins can cause you to lose your salvation.  The "deadly" refers to spiritual death.

Howdy Eric!  Thanks for the challenge =D

 I hope it comes across that I agree with Gene.  I mean to go into a bit more detail about why I identify with Jesus.  My walk with Christ included a time when I did not.

BTW, I typed all of this before I realized you were agreeing with me.  I decided to post it anyway because I don't want my fingers to ache for no reason:

I'm going to put these scriptures first and then discuss them:

1 Tim 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

1 Tim 1:12-17
12  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
13  even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;
14  and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
15  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
17  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I realize Paul admits to being the world's greatest sinner in this passage.  Look at verse 13, though.  He says he was "formerly a blasphemer....".  This is all from a book that starts "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus...".
While Paul admits to being the world's greatest sinner, he doesn't seem to be defining his self concept as that.  He doesn't introduce himself as "Paul, the world biggest sinner...".
I see more of my sin than I see in anyone else.  By God's grace, I'm honest enough to admit to being the biggest sinner I know.  I see myself as Christ's beloved brother.

Thanks Don,

I am, in this life, not absolutely holy.

From what it says in Col 1:21-23, I'd put this as "Christs death has made me holy in God's sight.  God and I are working on my actions to make them holy, too."

Col 1:21-23
21  And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22  yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--
23  if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Thanks Jen.

Thanks Other Gene!

I love these two points you make: 

I've never been able to explain why this idea of identity is so important to me, until I read your statements.  For me, I saw myself as a washed out Christian, who was always going struggle with sin.   Then I realized the Bible says my identity is in Jesus, and what He did for me.  I realized God could change my behavior, since He changed who I was when I accepted Him.

I think you are right.  The Church has lost the notion that we are utterly dependant on Jesus for everything.  Jesus gave that parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  I didn't improve in my life until I realized I have nothing to bring to the table, other than someone for God to fix.

Thanks Gene,

That's a lot of my point, but not all of it.  It also comes down to this - the way I think about myself leads to my expectations for God and myself.  Here's a Biblical example from King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 - If I think I'm a cow, and graze like a cow, that's all I will ever act like.

When I see myself as a sinner, that's all I'll ever aspire to.  When I see myself as a redeemed follower of Jesus, I'll have a better goal, which I know I can reach, because the Jesus who redeemed me in the first place will also work in me to bring about a redeemed lifestyle.

THAT is the great paradox of Christianity - saint and sinner, at the same time.  Christian life is full of those paradoxes. 

I agree with you Jess.  My only point is to be cautious in that the temptation is to then move over to the other extreme of being happy all the time without responsibility.  I know you don't think that (you can tell by reading your blogs) but I wanted to make the point for anyone who may just be dropping in on the conversation.

Thanks Mark Scott,

Someone else had pointed out that scripture earlier in the blog.  I wrote a response to it.  I invite your comments on my response.