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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Subject: Are christians sinners or not? |
Bible Note: Hello Meridith, I do not disagree with the term sinner as defined in the Greek. Christians are not "hamartolos". However, because we still sin on a daily basis (either in thought word or deed), I believe it is incorrect to say we are not sinners. Remember we are dealing with the english understanding of the word when we tell others that "we are not sinners"! So, unless we are prepared to qualify the term, we run the risk of sounding pious or even hypocritical to the unbeliever and may cause the unlearned believer to stumble as well. Webster gives the following definition of "sinner": One who has sinned; especially, one who has sinned without repenting; hence, a persistent and incorrigible transgressor; one condemned by the law of God. "One who has sinned" leads the rest as the most common definition. This is what is likely to strain the credulity of our witness when speaking to others. And it is also true that in the common sense of the word ("one who has sinned"), we actually are sinners. How does a proclamation that serves only to confuse folks further the Kingdom of God? Would our witness not be more effective if we present ourselves as we are: Weak in ourselves but unconquerable in Christ and forgiven in everything. John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. My witness is not of John Adams (God forbid it!), it is of Jesus. I do not want to present myself as a saint with a capital S. But as a weak man who has found great strength in Christ. He is my strength and my strong fortress. HE IS MY RIGHTEOUSNESS! John |