Hello, Dr. Craig. I saw a video where you explain are being declared righteous in God's eyes as a legal notion and not something dependent on good

works or abstinence from sin. Yet it seems to me that in the New Testament, sin is treated

very seriously as something one ought to abstain from almost completely. I do not think I am

able to do so or even come close. How am I supposed to interpret these strict prescriptions when I know deep in my heart that I am a sinner

and will probably struggle with sin all my life, despite my felt connection with and love for God?

Thank you. Eric from Norway.

Until recently, the Lutheran Church was the state church in Norway, so presumably

you have some cultural acquaintance with Lutheran theology, Eric. Luther would have understood

exactly how you feel. One of his most important insights arising out of his doctrine of justification

as a legal declaration of God is that as a result of God's pronouncing us legally pardoned of our

sins, even as we struggle against our bent towards sinning, we are simultaneously righteous yet sinners.

Simul justus et peccator.

In contrast to medieval Roman Catholic theology, which thought of justification, as God's infusing into us, saving grace,

like some sort of antidote to sin, Luther correctly saw that Paul's teaching in the New Testament

is that justification is like a legal proclamation. When a convicted criminal is pardoned,

he is restored to right standing before the law. But he does not instantly become a virtuous,

upstanding person. We may hope that he embarks upon a program of moral

reform so that he gradually becomes a good person. In the same way, God pardons us of our sins,

while enabling us to avoid sin through the power of the Holy Spirit and to be

gradually conformed to the image of Christ. This latter process, which begins with regeneration,

or the new birth, is called sanctification. It is distinct from justification in that it is a moral

transformation that takes place in our lives over time. Justification and sanctification,

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