Someone who still sees themselves as a sinner, is also usually filled with fear. Because a sinner is constantly fearful of being punished or of not going to heaven.

And the sinner is right with these fears. Because no sinner has fellowship with God. Think of Adam and Eve. Although God forgave them their sin, they did not have fellowship with God. They had to leave God’s glorious presence. Why? The holy God can only have saints in His presence, not sinners.

How do we become holy to God?

Our deeds or good works don’t make us perfect and holy before God. Faith in Jesus’ finished work makes former sinners righteous and holy saints before God (Colossians 1:22). Jesus, our flawless sacrificial lamb, is our righteousness before God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1; NIV)

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18; NIV)

The most glorious of all gifts

Believe in what Jesus has earned for you (the complete forgiveness of all your sins, your sanctification before God). Don’t trample on His blood that has been shed for you by placing yourself (still) as a sinner before God.

• You might also like: Thanks to Jesus, we are no longer sinners who get accused or condemned

Grace Consciousness makes you strong. Sin consciousness makes you weak

Think about it: no sinner has fellowship with God, neither now in this moment, nor tomorrow, nor ever in eternity. Only saints enter into the presence of God; therefore Jesus came to sanctify us “once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10; KJV) • Sanctified once and for all. Don’t let that confidence be stolen from you through sin-consciousness