“I am righteous and holy” vs. “I’m a sinner saved by grace”

Reading posts, comments, and blogs about this matter. I’d like to share my thoughts and insights as well… I may not claim to be fully educated or taught with doctrines or dogma of such things, but I just like to share what I think on this matter and what I believe God has taught me.

To a person who receives Christ as his personal Lord and Savior; one who has received and believed that Jesus Christ is truly the Savior, through the blood that was shed for sin; and Lord whom we ought to obey and follow; both statements are true but must be careful on how we use each statement. I’ll probably explain the reasons later while let me talk first about “Righteousness.”

From the things that I have learned about righteousness, there are two things that I’ve understood. Righteousness is of course understood or defined as “the good or right things we do.” Now, in Christianity, there is what we call “imputed righteousness of Christ.”

Consider these verses as an explanation to what the phrase means:

Romans 4:3-6 (KJV) "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works"

Romans 4:22-24 “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was IMPUTED to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be IMPUTED, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” 
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
 
Now, the verses explain that “Christ’ Righteousness” was placed on those who believe on Him, because Christ was pictured or made to become a sinner; when in fact, He is not, since He lived a righteous life. And we, who are sinners and supposed to be condemned to hell, have now the chance to claim that righteousness, through “Faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” And that’s how gracious our God is. This is how “imputed righteousness of Christ,” I believe is explained.

Now, there is also what we call “Righteous living” which is commonly referred to how a Christian lives. This however is not the same as the “imputed righteousness of Christ” but mainly talks of our personal life being lived rightly in the eyes of men. And of course, as Christian, we don’t have yet what we call “the glorified body” but we are still in our own flesh, the tangible body which is still prone of doing sin. The “glorified body” is expected to be acquired by Christians after the so called “rapture” happens or the “snatching of the church.” Nevertheless, Christ has also given provisions to conquer and be victorious over sin, by continuously and daily committing and surrendering oneself to Christ by Faith, not in order to be saved, but an effect or result of our Faith in Christ.

Consider these verses:

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1-2 explains that as Christians, we ought to surrender our bodies as living sacrifice, for I believe this is where God starts transforming and molding us toward holiness and righteous living and in effect following and doing the acceptable and perfect will of God. Apostle Paul’s statement in Galatians 2:20 also declares and states his understanding that he too is still in the flesh, therefore, in order to live accordingly to what God wills, he must die unto himself, and let Christ live in him. In a sense that all his desires, ambitions, and even his own ‘will’ is to be neglected and therefore dead with Christ and letting Christ’ mind, thought, and ‘will’ be the one in full-control. Of course, it’s not like a robot, simply controlled by a program or something. It’s just simply knowing and putting his focus on what Christ or God wants him to do and obeying it accordingly. And all these are also done through faith in Christ. This is God’s provision in order for His own to fully do right and live righteously in accordance to His word and principles.

God also gave promises for His own to claim to further have the power to say “NO” to sin. These verses can come to remembrance when temptation draws nigh.

1 John 4:4 (KJV) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

And if we still fail? God provides forgiveness for His’ own. And that’s how gracious God is.

John 1:9 (KJV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

But of course, this doesn’t mean that we are free to do sin, since God is forgiving. No, that’s not how it works, because as one who is transformed from darkness into light, we no longer serve sin (Rom. 6:1-6). Therefore if we continue doing sin without the conviction of the Holy Spirit, that may mean we are not truly believers or followers of Christ.

Now having discussed, on how a Christian should live. This is where righteous living is measured and if Christians fail living righteously, our fellowship with God is cut off, but not our relationship as His child.

Now, where were we? I hope the 2 kinds of Righteousness are clearly understood. If not, try reading other books about it.. hehe! Or better yet read the whole Bible. Hehe! Anyway, as I was saying earlier about the two statements that they are true for a Christian, but must be declared in the right way.

The first statement “I am righteous and holy” is true, if we truly are Christians and we can declare this before the Father, through Christ Name. But to men who know not Christ, this statement is nullified, worthless and meaningless. For they will see us as hypocrite and liars, for in truth? We still can sin in this world. And if we declare this statement to men, we then become liars (I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.). But if I may, we could change the phrase to better it as “I am righteous and holy through Christ’ righteousness.” That could give more meaning and understanding.

(edited... December 26, 2011)
Now, the other phrase “I’m a sinner saved by grace,” is quite a subject matter to some. They negate and go against such phrase. And actually I’ve read a post rebuking of using this phrase. With what I understood, the focus was about the word “sinner”. True! as Christians, we are no longer sinner in God’s sight. But to men, we can be perceived still as sinner, one who does wrong things. Some commentators believe that such statement gives a thought and freedom for Christians to continue to do sin or to continue to be bound to sin and not under grace. As for me, I do not see that. But giving a second thought about the statement, I ask myself, “is it possible for one to be misled?” It is probably possible, if one truly have not understood the real meaning of “being saved by grace.” An unbeliever has no reason to say this statement, but at some point to an unbeliever hearing this word, may also give a reflective question to ask question what the statement means, giving opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed and explained. This statement maybe damaging if the statement intensifies one to continue to do sin, but if it intensifies the meaning of grace in his life would it be something  profitable? But anyway having been read another post about this matter.. I like the correction to it... by stating the phrase in this manner... "I WAS a sinner, saved by grace."