Watch
Listen
Click here to listen to the episode on our website
Read
The tension between sainthood and sinfulness exists for every believer. When someone is born again, they immediately become a saint in God's eyes while remaining prone to sin - a redeemed sinner progressing toward full sanctification that God himself provides and sustains.
Understanding Our Dual Nature Through David's Prayer
Psalm 86 powerfully illustrates this dynamic through David's prayer, which expresses both his position as God's faithful servant and his desperate need for divine help. The psalm demonstrates three key elements:
The Request for God's Attention (Psalm 86:1-7)
David approaches God with striking honesty about his condition, declaring both "I am poor and needy" and "I am faithful." He recognizes his sinfulness while insisting he hasn't broken his covenant with the Lord. His prayer offers three reasons God should answer:
- The genuineness of his faith
- His earnest reliance on the Lord alone
- His recognition of God's benevolent character
The Testimony of God's Uniqueness (Psalm 86:8-13)
David proclaims "there is none like you among the gods" and declares "You alone are God." He asks God to "teach me your way" and requests an undivided heart to fear God's name. This recognition of God's supremacy leads naturally to acknowledging our need for rescue, no matter how righteous we may appear.
The Plea for God's Deliverance (Psalm 86:14-17)
David describes being surrounded by trouble and attacked by the arrogant who "do not let you guide them." Yet he remains confident in God's mercy, strength, and comfort based on past faithfulness.
The Danger of Postmodern Interpretation
This dual identity of saint and sinner is often challenged by postmodern approaches to scripture that emphasize personal interpretation over objective truth. These approaches typically assert:
- No text can convey a single reliable message
- The author's intended meaning is less important than cultural interpretation
- All truth is relative
This mindset stems from pride and leads to:
- Rejection of absolute truth
- Elevation of personal feelings over scriptural facts
- Creation of individualized paths to God
True Freedom vs. False Independence
While postmodern approaches emphasize independence and personal interpretation, they actually produce bondage rather than freedom. True freedom comes through:
- Complete dependence on God
- Accepting both our sainthood and our need for ongoing grace
- Standing firmly on God's word rather than personal feelings
- Embracing God's rescue and salvation plan
The authentic gospel produces true freedom through dependence on God, while human-centered approaches lead to bondage through their fierce independence. For believers, this means embracing both our identity as saints and our ongoing need for God's grace and deliverance.