snow-covered dung?

It was Luther who coined the paradigm "simul iustus et peccator" as a nutshell description of the state of the Christian believer. Simultaneously justified and yet sinner. This is a controversial statement to say the least, even among Christians. Some say, "Don't be so hard on yourself! You're not a helpless worm, you're a child of God!" Still, others would take the other side and fall into a helpless state of despair - not unlike Luther when he was a monk. What is the state of a true believing Christian? Is it not both?

I happen to believe the Bible clearly states that both are applicable to Christians. We are, as Christians: dirty, rotten, stinking transgressors of the law of God. Even our own 'righteousness' must be repented of. Our motives are never pure, there remains in us remnants of sin (flesh) till our death, and it can at times bring us very low.

However, there is a bright side: the gospel! How wonderful to read in Romans 7 of Paul's "normal" Christian life. A life of struggling to do what he ought, but not doing it; or trying not do disobey, but nevertheless sinning.

How is that wonderful?

Because that was the Apostle Paul's experience! He struggled with sin too. When he finally gets to Romans 8 he declares triumphantly, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And at the end of the chapter he says, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" Did you catch that? "ALL THINGS". We are blessed as Christians beyond all measure, and God holds nothing back. We are His beloved children, His bride for whom He died, was raised, and will return one day for. Christians are sinners, but they are covered with the spotless righteousness of Christ, a righteousness we never did nor ever will deserve. We are snow-covered dung.

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," - Romans 3:21-24