Sinless or Sin Less?

I’m sitting here at the Blue Roan enjoying a cup of freshly brewed green tea, casually observing the morning crowd. No matter how pleasant they appear in their colorful stocking caps—fit or overweight, attractive or plain—we all share something in common.

We are sinners.

I don’t know how many here are believers. Maybe God will reveal a Divine Appointment among the crowd… or maybe not. Either way, there are really only two groups of people in this coffee shop: sinners whose sins are forgiven, and sinners whose sins are not. At least, not yet.

For those of us who read the Bible, it doesn’t take long to realize that only Jesus was sinless.

Every other member of the cast of biblical characters fell short. King David committed adultery and murder. Peter denied Christ. Paul persecuted the Church. Scripture makes it plain—none is righteous, no, not one.

Even after his conversion, the Apostle Paul admitted that he did the very things he did not want to do, speaking of the struggle with sin.

So as I sit here mentally beating myself with metaphorical pugil sticks, the Holy Spirit gently loosens my grip on self-condemnation.

Over the chatter of conversations around me, I sense Him say:

“Not sinless… just sin less.”

Something shifts when the pressure of perfection gives way to the peace of grace.

Jesus lived the sinless life that none of us could live. Because of Him, I don’t have to pretend to be perfect. But I also don’t have to stay the same.

Infused with the Fruit of the Spirit, I can sin less… not by my own strength, but by aligning more with Christ’s qualities and less with my carnal nature.

As that thought settles in, a calm comes over me.

I take another sip of my now lukewarm green tea… and quietly thank God for grace.

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“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NKJV)