In John chapter 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless one is born again or born from above, one cannot see the kingdom of God. What does it mean to be born again or born from above? It is to be delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Jesus, in whom we are redeemed and our sins are forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14). To be born again is to possess faith in the Son of God who gave himself for your redemption. The book of James makes clear to us that faith isn’t idle but produces fruit in the life of the Christian. There is a transformative aspect to salvation: The one redeemed is no longer only a sinner but now is a new creature with new desires. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2). The Christian is one who is dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11).
This is all Scriptural truth. It sounds good, right? But how does it work in our own experience? What about all those times when we still sin and do what we know is wrong? Sure, there are days where we may think we are doing pretty well. Maybe we think that we’ve got this Christian life transformation thing down… until we get a harsh reality check—some reminder that we are still sinners who do sinful things, and we haven’t made nearly as much progress as we thought we had. What about times like these?
And what about those times when we just don’t feel like Christians? Maybe we wonder how God could love us, or be happy with us, or use us, because we are far too dirty with sin. Maybe we weren’t really transformed by the gospel after all. Maybe we only thought we were born anew. “Have I really repented? It sure doesn’t seem like it, to look at my life,” we might think or say. Maybe we look at our lives and see all the sin that is there and we teeter on the edge of hopelessness and despair. What do we do?
In Bo Giertz’ book, The Hammer of God, a character named Johannes is a Christian experiencing torment: He fears the wrath of God because all he can see is his sin. A pastor by the name of Savonius comes to visit Johannes. Savonius tries to comfort Johannes by assuring him that if anyone has God’s favor it is Johannes because he is “a better and more upright soul than anyone [he] had met.” But this is of no help to Johannes because he sees the sinful motivation behind his own “good” actions. Savonius is at a loss as to what to do.
Enter Katrina. Katrina is a friend of Johannes and she comes to see him when she hears he is sick. She listens as Johannes tells her how great a sinner he is. “Yes, that you are, Johannes. But Jesus is a still greater Savior,” Katrina responds. Starting to hope but still looking at his sin, Johannes is sure that he lacks repentance and therefore there is no grace and mercy for him. Katrina’s response is stunning: “You do not lack repentance, Johannes, but faith.” Johannes asks Katrina what it is he should believe and Katrina directs him to the Word of God. She shows him that even the fact that he has sorrow over his sin is a work of God and directs him to trust in Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.1
This account (which is well worth reading in its entirety) is helpful because it illustrates the problem we often have when confronted with our sin and feel the weight of it, knowing we have failed to live as God requires. The problem is that we so often continue to look at ourselves instead of looking at Jesus and what he has done for us. If we’re honest, all we will find when we look at ourselves is sin, death and hell. To continue looking there is to invite despair and hopelessness. Here we are not lacking repentance, or contrition, but faith. Faith in the sure Word of God, the promise of Jesus given for us. Faith that he has taken all of our sins upon himself and given us his righteousness.
The gospel directs our eyes to Jesus, to trust him and his promises: his promise that your sins are forgiven, because he bled and died for you on the cross. His promise that in baptism you were buried with him and raised to new life. His promise given to you in the Lord’s Supper, that you are receiving his body and blood, given and shed for you, for the forgiveness of your sins.
The transformation of the Christian comes to you through daily repentance and faith in Christ and what he has done for you. This transformation happens whether you can see it or not, because God has promised you that it will. His promise is sure and certain.
Be at peace. Rest in Christ and what he has done for you. In Christ you are born anew. You have the righteousness of Christ. Your sins are forgiven. You are being transformed by the power of God. This is God’s sure and certain Word and promise to you: Though you are a very great sinner, Jesus is ever and always a still greater Savior.
Ben Baker is a 2014 graduate of Lutheran Brethren Seminary.