Freedom in Christ

Last year, my wife Vicky went on the Freedom in Christ courseat our Church.
It has really impacted her in all kinds of ways and because of her experience I chose to attend the course this year.

I have to say, I was a bit sceptical, I'd heard a bit about the course and attended a training day sometime ago. I also am dubious about the course mentality which can suggest this or that course will solve all your problems.

But right at the start, I have to say I'm really impressed!

I'm impressed by the people who lead the course at our church, I'm impressed by the content, age old truth spoken in a different way and I'm seeing God do things in me.

One aspect of the course that has been a sticking point for me has been about how we see ourselves in Christ.

The course suggests that we were once sinners, when we came to faith in God we became saints. Our identity is no longer that as a sinner. Where I've known myself as a 'sinner saved by grace' the reality is that I am a saint who sometimes sins.

I'm on a journey with this one.... Questions pop into my mind:

But I still sin, doesn't that make me a sinner?
What about judgement? If we aren't sinners, then why will Jesus return to 'judge the living and the dead'
Are thousands of church leaders who use that phrase 'sinner saved by grace' wrong?

Yet, I do believe that when Jesus died and rose to life he did conquer all sin. That means my new identity in Christ cannot co-exist with my old identity in sin. As someone helpfully put it, "Are you a sinner or are you saved by grace?"

I'd value some thoughts on this one? What is your understanding? What has your upbringing taught you? Do you see yourself as someone who is completely forgiven and a saint?