Intrinsically
the saints are always sinners; extrinsically, therefore, they are
always justified. Hypocrites, on the other hand, are always [viewing
themselves as] intrinsically righteous; extrinsically, therefore, they
are always sinners.
--Martin Luther, LW 25:257; quoted in Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, 4:194
If you are a saint you are intrinsically always a sinner. Sin belongs to your essential
nature. Extrinsically you are always justified, because you know that
your justification does not come from you at all, it is a gift by grace
from God. On the other hand if you are a sinner but you view yourself as
intrinsically righteous you are a hypocrite and are always a sinner
extrinsically. If you think basically you are a good person you are
deceived and extrinsically you are always a sinner because you don't
acknowledge or believe you are a sinner. Justification is not
extrinsically yours because its not a basic part of you. Religious
people always get this backwards that's why they are hypocrites. Are you
a sinner/saint or are you a religious hypocrite? Thanks Marty for this
nugget of truth.
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