Bags of Dirt?

The claim that Christians, after accepting Christ, are merely “bags of dirt” is not only pastorally damaging but theologically mistaken. While it often masquerades as humility-an attempt to emphasize human frailty or the seriousness of sin-it ultimately contradicts the heart of the gospel: that God does not merely forgive sinners, but transforms them.

At its core, this reductionist teaching confuses creaturely humility with ontological denial. Scripture never teaches that redemption leaves a person unchanged in essence or identity. On the contrary, the New Testament insists-repeatedly and emphatically-that salvation inaugurates a profound transformation of the human person.

New Birth, Not Cosmetic Repair

Jesus’ words to Nicodemus set the tone: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Birth language is decisive. One does not emerge from birth merely improved; one emerges alive in a new way. To describe a regenerate believer as nothing more than animated dust is to empty Christ’s words of their force.

Paul makes the point unmistakably: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is not poetic exaggeration. It is an ontological declaration. The believer’s former identity-defined by alienation, condemnation, and spiritual death-has been replaced by a new reality grounded in reconciliation and life with God.

The “bags of dirt” metaphor subtly denies this transition. It treats salvation as a legal fiction rather than a creative act. Yet Scripture presents redemption as nothing less than God doing again what He did in Genesis-speaking life where there was none.

Sanctification: Holiness Given and Grown Into

The misunderstanding often deepens when sanctification is poorly taught. Some argue that because Christians continue to struggle with sin, they must therefore remain fundamentally unchanged. But Scripture holds together two truths without contradiction.

Hebrews 10:10 declares, “By that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” This is definitive sanctification-status before God, accomplished fully by Christ. At the same time, Paul exhorts believers to live into that reality: “This is God’s will, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Romans 12:2 captures the tension beautifully: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation is not denied because it is ongoing; it is proven by the fact that it continues. A seed that grows is not unreal because it has not yet become a tree.

To call believers “bags of dirt” is to freeze them at their point of origin while ignoring the divine work actively reshaping them.

The Holy Spirit Does Not Indwell Debris

Perhaps the most serious theological error in this teaching is its implicit view of the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that God Himself dwells within the believer. Paul asks plainly, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22–23)-are not decorations hung on a worthless object. They are evidence of an inner renewal already underway.

Ephesians 4:22–24 commands believers to put off the old self and put on the new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Dirt is not created to be like God. The renewed self is.

Conformity to Christ, Not Perpetual Degradation

The ultimate aim of salvation is not perpetual self-contempt but Christlikeness. Romans 8:29 declares that believers are predestined “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” This is not metaphorical flattery; it is divine intention.

Philippians 3:20–21 lifts the believer’s gaze even higher, promising the transformation of our lowly bodies into the likeness of Christ’s glorious body. The future glorification of the believer confirms the present dignity of the redeemed. God does not glorify refuse.

Pastoral and Practical Consequences

The “bags of dirt” teaching bears harmful fruit. It distorts identity, undermines spiritual growth, and quietly excuses stagnation. If believers are told they are fundamentally nothing, they will live as though holiness were unattainable and obedience merely aspirational.

Scripture, however, calls believers to live in accordance with who they already are. “Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… and over all these virtues put on love” (Colossians 3:12–14). These are not pretenses; they are expressions of a transformed nature.

True humility does not deny God’s work-it marvels at it. The Christian confession is not “I am dirt,” but rather, “I was dust-and God breathed into me again.”

Conclusion

Yes, Christians remain dependent creatures. Yes, we continue to struggle. Yes, we never outgrow grace. But to reduce the redeemed to “bags of dirt” is to misunderstand salvation itself. The gospel proclaims not merely forgiven sinners, but reborn sons and daughters; not merely covered corruption, but new creation.

The God who forms humanity from dust does not stop there. In Christ, He raises that dust into glory.