Simul iustus et peccator

What does that mean? It’s Latin, and it means, “At the same time Saint and Sinner.” It’s a key point in biblical Lutheran theology, and it’s true of every one of us who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

That’s right, every one of us is, at the same time, both a Saint and a Sinner.

Most of us probably don’t have much trouble with that second part. We’re constantly reminded of the fact that we’re Sinners. We say it every Sunday at the beginning of the Divine Service. In one way or another we confess: “I, a poor miserable Sinner …”

The Bible makes it clear that when we were physically born into this world we were also born spiritually blind, spiritually dead, and enemies of God. We inherited original sin from our parents (all the way back to Adam and Eve). That original sin is the source of our actual sins, the thoughts, words, deeds, and desires that rebel against God and His will. We break God’s Commandments constantly, without even trying. So, each one of us must admit it: I am a Sinner, and I cannot rescue myself from my sinful condition.

Okay, so I’m a Sinner. But I’m also a Saint? Yes!

The good news is that Jesus Christ has suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven, and God has promised us that we will not perish. Instead, we will rise from the dead at the Last Day and enjoy everlasting life with God in the new heaven and the new earth.

Okay, I can understand that I’m a “forgiven Sinner.” But how does that make me a “Saint”?

When we think of the title of “Saint,” our first thoughts probably go to the “big names” of the New Testament. We remember the Apostles and Evangelists who authored those books: Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint John, Saint Paul, and so on. After all, their names are at the top of those books and letters, right?

Well yes, but those titles were put on a little later, not by the original authors. They didn’t call themselves “Saints.” In fact, only Paul referred to himself as a “Saint,” and only once, in his letter to the Ephesians, where he said, “To me, though I am the very least of all the Saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). The other fifty-nine times the term “Saint” is used in the New Testament it refers to the members of Christian congregations, to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

So where did we get the idea that “Saints” were somehow “holier” and “more special” than everyone else? That came from the Roman Catholic church, which started recognizing and canonizing “Saints” based on their life’s work and reports that miracles had occurred when people had prayed to those individuals. There are now over ten thousand people recognized by the Roman church as “Saints,” all focused on human works rather than on Jesus Christ.

But “Saint” means “holy one,” and it refers to all those made holy by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, believers are referred to as “Saints” by Ananias (Acts 9:13), by Luke (Acts 9:32, 41), and by Jude (Jude 3). Paul also called believers in Christ “Saints” in Acts 26:10, and in many of his letters (Romans 1:7, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2). Paul even called the believers in Corinth “Saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1), in spite of all their problems (and boy, did they have problems!).

So, yes, we are “Saints,” holy ones of God, not because of what we’ve done but because of what Jesus has done for us. And as long as we live in this world we’ll also be Sinners, constantly repenting and in need of forgiveness. So we live in joyful humility, by grace, through faith in Christ alone!