Christians are Sinners

I know it sounds trite: "Christians are sinners."  But this statement is very different than saying "We're all just human," or "Nobody's perfect," or "We can't walk on water."  Rather, to confess that I am a sinner is nothing less than saying "I deserve the the everlasting torturous fires of Hell and damnation for even the smallest of my sins, yes even for being alive, and as such an empty-handed beggar there is nothing I can do to about my sin."  

A Christian knows this all too well.  For it's not good morals or being nice which make one a Christian.  It's not a prayer, a feeling of peace, or membership at a congregation.  Rather, a Christian is one who has been reconciled and redeemed by the blood of the cross.

“Converted Christians are not those who no longer sin.  On the contrary, they are those who recognize themselves as sinners and who find God’s grace and forgiveness through their Savior and Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  They do not need to possess great knowledge or a strong heroic faith.  All they need to recognize is that Jesus is their Redeemer and that they must rely on Him alone.  In heavenly things, they listen neither to the wisdom of this world nor to their own reason, but only to the voice of Jesus, their Good Shepherd.  As our Lord says, “My sheep hear My voice” and “They do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:27, 5).  They are the ones who walk with Him on the road of suffering, but they enjoy, already here on earth, a blessed peace the world cannot give.”

C.F.W. Walther, God Grant It, 387-388