I once heard a pastor explain that as Christians we exist on seesaw of sorts where we must always balance our identity as a saint with our identity as a sinner. To identify ourselves as either would constitute an “unbalanced” approach to the Christian life. With much respect, and the full knowledge that the man who said this has a true heart for God, I must say, “false.”

To describe my position as presumptuous would seem an understatement considering I never went to seminary, can by no means call myself a scholar (of any sort, much less a Bible scholar), and really other than spending several hours, days, months, searching Biblegateway.com wouldn’t be able to argue my case against his as effectively as he could his against mine.

So why am I so convinced? Because a revelation of grace swept over me a few years ago that forever changed how I see myself and relate to God.

I am not a sinner. I am 100% through and through a saint. And, I can say that without a shred of pride because the same is true for every Christian that believes that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and has been reconciled to right relationship with God though His sacrifice, whether they believe it or not. And, no I am in no way saying I behave perfectly or that I don’t sin. Either would be blasphemy that would illegitimize my entire case.

So what’s the catch? The proper separation of identity and behavior. I am “the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:21) I stand “without blemish and free from accusation.” (Col 1:22) The righteous requirements of the law have been fulfilled on my behalf (Rom 8:4) and the written code with its regulations that stood against me has been canceled (Col 2:14). I am a saint because Jesus bought my sainthood for me. He took all my sins upon Him, took the fullness of my punishment for me, crucified my sin nature with Him, and raised me up again, “dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ.” (Rom 6:11).

So then why do I still sin, and why doesn’t that make me a sinner? First, because while my sin nature is dead, I still dwell inside a fleshly body, on a fallen earth, and with a mind that has been imprinted by the patterns of this world, and second because I am defined by who I am, a daughter of the most high (2 Cor. 6:18), and co-heir with Christ (Rom 8:17. Gal 3:29), not by what I do.

This is why Romans 12:2 is such an important verse. It clearly delineates the relationship between identity and behavior. Most of the time we have it backwards. We don’t change our behavior to alter our identity. It is the exact opposite. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will. “

The more I recognize my true identity (renew my mind) the more “my patterns” will conform to God’s and not the world’s, and then the more my behavior will start to match my identity. It is a natural overflow of grace, which is in essence God sending His son to trade His life for ours.

When not tainted by even the most well-intentioned legalism, self-righteousness, or attempts to make ourselves acceptable to Him, a task which no one but His own Son could fulfill, it is the evidence of the restoration of relationship with Him and the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit; initiated by His pre-eminent love, and awaiting culmination when we dwell with Him for all eternity.

And if that weren’t enough, it comes with a pride-free guarantee because the more we understand grace and why we have an identity as “saints” the more we realize it has absolutely nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him.