Since my days in seminary, I have known that the Reformation concept that Christians are simul justus et peccator (simultaneously justified and sinner) accords with Scripture, observations of Christian history, and personal struggles to be Christian and live as a Christian. After a recent review of some historical and
modern sources on the topic, I would add that the doctrine of simul is intertwined with other
central Christian teachings. Here are some examples.
The concept is related to Baptism. In Baptism, we put on the
righteousness of Christ, but the old nature remains and rebels. As baptized persons, we have died to sin and been born to a new life in Christ. Yet, even though we have been put to death to sin,
sin keeps returning. The grace of Baptism is always present, but the old nature remains a constant challenge.
The doctrine of simul justus et
peccator is also clearly connected to the doctrine of justification. By
faith in Christ and through His grace, we are set right or made just before
God. Our sin is no longer counted against us, but it is so deeply ingrained in
our fallen nature that it refuses to let go. So our faith in Christ and our
dependence on His grace must be renewed daily. A very rough analogy is a
persistent disease. We have taken a medicine that has knocked out the raging
infection, but without daily treatment, we will again succumb. If we keep
looking to grace and persevere in faith, at the end of earthly life, divine
grace will ultimately cure us of all sin.
The concept of simul justus et
peccator can be related to the doctrine of Law and Gospel. The Law shows that we are sinners always; the Gospel promises the faith that justifies the sinner. The
Law reminds us that even after faith, we remain sinners. The Gospel assures
that we are justified for Christ’s sake and that sin does not have to destroy
us.
Furthermore, the doctrine of simul is
related to the doctrine of the two kingdoms.
As long as we live in a fallen creation, believers remain citizens of two realms.
In the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s righteousness declares us holy. In the
temporal kingdom, we struggle with our sinful nature (sinful in tendency and sinful in
real thoughts, words, and deeds) in a fallen world. This struggle continues
throughout earthly life.
The doctrine of simul is also
related to the theology of the cross. At the cross, we human beings are always
sinners. It is our sins that nail Christ to the cross. It is our sins,
collective and personal, that bring Christ to this agonizing sacrifice.
Paradoxically, only the divine Christ whom we have crucified can save us. Only the
cross of Christ transforms condemned sinners into justified believers. So
looking to the cross is the only way to see ourselves as we really are-
simultaneously a justified person and a sinner.
Finally, the doctrine of simul
justus et peccator is biblical, realistic, and necessary. If we Christians do
not recognize that we remain both justified and sinners, then we exalt human
effort and human righteousness. In other words, if we are determined to claim to
be free from all spot of personal sin at some point in our earthly life, then
we nullify justification by faith and reinstate works-righteousness. But if we
recognize the reality and depend upon the grace of God in Christ, then our
sinful nature can be overcome by divine power and kept in check until such time
as God completely destroys our sin in the fullness of His spiritual kingdom.
