Saints or Sinners
The sentiment is popular, but is it true? Is the only difference between a sinner and a saint that the saint is forgiven? Most religionists-and more that a few in the Lord's church-answer in the affirmative. For example, one editor of a popular brotherhood paper asserted: "Christians aren't better than anyone else-just forgiven."
This concept is usually advocated to suggest that no one has a right to judge anyone else. That was clearly the minister's intention of introducing it, and many of our own brethren find it appealing for the same reason. "Who are we to charge someone with advocating error, or to identify false teachers, or withdraw fellowship, when after all, we're all sinners?" To point the finger of judgment is to risk being labeled a hypocrite because, after all, "We're all sinners."But are we? To suggest we are all sinners in the sense in which many do today is misleading because it fails to recognize a critical, biblical distinction between sinners and saints. Yes, in a general sense, all men are sinners in that "all have sinned"(Rom. 3:23). Paul included himself when he said, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"(Rom. 5:8). Looking back on his heinous persecution of the church before his conversion, the great apostle called himself the "chief of sinners"(1 Tim. 1:15). No accountable person is sinless; we all sin. In this sense we are sinners.
However, the term sinner is used in a more specific sense in scripture of those who persist in sin. Luke distinguished the woman who anointed Jesus in the house of Simon the Pharisee by saying she was a "sinner"(Luke 7:37). Jesus required a higher standard than merely loving those who love us, "for sinners also love those that love them: (Luke 6:32). Peter said, "For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?"(1 Pet. 4:17-ASV). Notice those who belong to God are here called righteous, in plain distinction to those who have not obeyed the gospel who are designated as sinners.
The difference between sinner and saint is that, while both have sinned, the saint is no longer practicing sin. This distinction is an enormous and morally significant one, and it is the reason the saint is forgiven but the sinner repents, he turns from sin and turns to God (Acts 26:20). That is something a man who is still outside of Christ has not done. In Romans 6 Paul stressed that the one who belongs to Christ does not "continue in sin"; he walks in "newness of life"; he does not let sin "reign"in his body, to "obey the lusts thereof"; he is no longer a "servant of sin"; but a "servant of righteousness."The saint is "walking in the light,"which means when he sins, he repents of it (1 John 1:7-9). In this sense, then he is not a sinner-he is not continuing in sin-and may be said to be doing as Zacharias and Elizabeth did, "walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless"(Luke 1:6).
Yes, all need grace because all have sinned. And no one is of any more worth as a human being than any other person. But faithful Christians are better than others in that they are living better lives than those who practice sin as a way of life. One brother wrote, "After all is said and done, the church remains a fellowship of sinners saved by grace more than it is a fellowship of saints."But on what biblical grounds can he make this contention? There is none. The church is no more one than the other. To suggest the only difference between a sinner and a saint is that one is forgiven is a gross misrepresentation of what it means to be faithful of God and merely serves to undermine the crucial moral distinction between the church and the world. It is a notion used to dismiss our obligation to be holy and reprove sin. It is utilized to shame into silence anyone who would dare to pass judgment on those who-unlike saints-are continuing to walk contrary to God's truth.
We all need forgiveness. But to put all men on the same level with respect to sin fails to recognize who we are and what God calls us to be-no longer sinners, but saints. By the grace of God "one is forgiven, and the other one ain't"because one is fully striving to submit to God and the other ain't. That is a much bigger difference than some would have us to believe.
-Tyler Young
Alvie Adams had a cancerous tumor removed from esophagus will follow up with radiation and possibly chemotherapy. He will go back in one and a half weeks.
Thelma Smith, mother of Eugene Smith, is back at home.
Ruben Chacon Sr., father of Javier, Ruben, and Robert, is awaiting results.
Prayer List
Alvie Adams; Cecilia Bethune; Mark Brewer; Gene Calbert; Darwin Carroll; Toni DeCristofaro; Ruth Davis; J C Eager;
RuLonna Edwards; Pearl Garvin; Marion Lee; Justine McCollum; Wilma Mitchell; Elizabeth Ann Newbold; Ruth Norman;
Jackie Rex; Jim Reyna; Montrella Ruffner; David Ryan; Janelle Shirley; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Ruby Brown; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Virgie Price;
Alma Stallard; Charles and Pearl Tucker; Nell O Beth Willoughby
FYI
Odessa Christian needs a daycare worker to work from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The pay rate is $7.00 an hour. They are also
having their Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Booths are available for $25.00.
More information is posted on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. On Sunday,
November 12, the lesson will be titled "The Holy Spirit In Regeneration."
The New Mexico Christian's Home will be having their Needs Drive. Their truck will be here Wednesday, December 13. All items are appreciated. Some suggestions items are muffin mixes, brown sugar, and chocolate chips. Monetary donations are also accepted.
We will be having a going away potluck for Rod and Charis Nutter on Sunday, November 12 after the morning worship. Bring covered dishes.
Rocky and Brent invite you to help celebrate Don and Hazel Cavanaugh's, 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, November 11 at their home (5225 New Orleans Dr.), from 2 to 4 p.m. No gifts please. A keepsake card would be appreciated.
Youth
Our Bible Search practice continues on November 12, at 5:00 pm in the annex. Please continue reading the book of Judges
and the book of Ruth. Don't forget about the memory verses.
Thank you
A huge thank you to everyone who said a prayer, gave a hug, called to check on us, for the ladies who provided the meal
for all the family to be able to be together and last but not least to everyone who came to help us put closure to the loss of
our beloved Johnny. A special thanks to Burt and Anna Groves, the Marshall family, and Bill and Robbie Butler. May God
bless each of you. Also thanks for all the cards we've received to know Johnny was deeply loved.
In Christian Love, Carolyn Wilkerson and family
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of November are Mary Bayless, and Cindy Crain.
Please continue to send us your interest in our bulletin if you have not already done so. You can reach us by mail at 807 E. 21st in Odessa, TX 79761, by phone (432-337-5313), or by e-mail (Barbara@eisenhowerchurch.org). Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
| November 12, 2006 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Song Leader | John Carroll | Steve Horton |
| Sermon | Burt Groves | Burt Groves |
| Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
| Scripture | Juan Morolez | Larry Crain |
| Second Prayer | Rod Nutter | Jimmy Nunley |
| Closing Prayer | Rudy Ochoa | D J Ray |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Bill Ryan Jimmy Taylor Javier Chacon Robert Chacon |
Jeff Wesson Cody Wesson |
| East | Ronnie Lane Tony Marrs Victor Martinez Jr. Munoz |
Craig Wesson |