Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness ...
SIMUL JUSTUS ET PECCATOR
This Latin phrase is a famous quote of Martin Luther. With these words the Reformer notes that the believing child of God is "at the same time" (simul) "just" or righteous and a sinner (peccator). This is a word of comfort when troubled by the sins we loathe, but not a "quick read" when put on a T-shirt.
By inspiration of the Spirit the Apostle Paul masterfully lays out this divine truth in the epistle to the Romans. The only way sinful human beings (and ALL have sinned) can become righteous in God's sight is by God's gift to them of Christ's righteousness, which is received by faith in Jesus -- faith in Who He is (God's eternal Son) and in His living and dying in our place. Through faith in Christ, even though we still struggle against sin and still pray daily "forgive us our trespasses," we are acceptable in God's sight because of the imputed righteousness of Christ. "At the same time righteous and a sinner."
When the Apostle says the faith of the person who trusts in God's promises in Christ is reckoned (counted) as righteousness, he is not saying that God gives the believer "credit" for believing, but that the righteousness of the Jesus in whom he trusts is credited to him by God.
The Judge of all declares us "not guilty" when we believe that Christ was declared "guilty" in our place. Faith holds fast to Christ, who kept the law of God on our behalf. In this way we are accounted righteous in the sight of God through faith (a saint!) and not on the basis of our doing. The truth is, as long as we are in this world, because of our sinful flesh, we will continue to have trouble with sin (sinner!) and daily need the Lord’s forgiveness -- for our comfort and for renewed strength to daily fight against temptation.
In Romans 7 Paul bears witness to the tension he feels because he is "simul Justus et peccator." And yes, there is also a T-shirt that displays this truth graphically. The script on the shirt declares "SAINT" when viewed from the front. But when the wearer looks down at the shirt, from that angle the same letters say "SINNER."
