Our standingis your position before God in Christ--your acceptance, your access (Eph 1:6 "Accepted in the beloved"). Your state is your present walk before God--acceptable or well-pleasing unto Him. (II Cor 5:9) "We labor to be acceptable (well pleasing) unto him." "Accepted" versus "acceptable."
Most of our standing is summed up in one word, "wealth" or "riches" in Christ. "All things are yours" whether you possess them or not. Christ has purchased them for you. Most of our state is summed up in the one word, "walk," which speaks volumes of the changes, progress, and manner of living.
Our standing and position is Christ is instantly perfect, as Christ is perfect, the instant the sinner believes and is born of the Spirit; God sees him right then, as "in Christ." No matter of holinesss of life, works of righteousness, which we have done, faith, praying, church works, etc.., can possibly add anything to that standing in Christ. We are "sanctified forever" or "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10,14). However our state may be and must be improved upon constantly, and indeed we are admosished continually to do so.
Our Standing in Christ:
1. Justification: It gives us a new standing before God "in Christ," no guilt and declared righteous.
2. Regeneration: to give a new nature, made in the image of God a "new creation."
3. Habitation: to give unto us the indewelling of the Holy Spirit.
4. Sanctification: to give unto us holiness, Christ Himself "being made unto me sanctification,"conforming me to the image of His Son.
5. Adoption: giving unto us a new family relationship, sons of God.
6. Preservation: to give unto us a new care and keeping presenting us faultless before the throne. He will present the church holy and without spot or wrinkle.
7. Presentation: to give us a new destiny, name, and home forever; this is our place in Christ's body and bride.
None of thes things we can do for ourselves, but they are entirely His work and His gift unto us.
OUR STATE IN CHRIST:
There are seven goals of the believer to attain to that the Holy Spirit marks out for us to improve upon in our present state. They are progressive and therefore, unlike our standing they fluctuate.
1. The Holy Spirit intends for us to grow and mature in our faith. Going from desiring the sincere milk of the word to the solid meat and strong things for those of full age.
2. The Holy Spirit expects us to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh. This means to live in obedience to God and deny your self.
3. The Holy Spirit expect us to put off the "old man" and put on the "new man" since the new man is synonymous with Christ.
4. The Holy Spirit expects for us to be spiritual rather than carnal. This means that we are to live by the Spirit in communion with the Spirit and grow in our knowledge and enjoyment of things associated with godliness.
5. The Holy Spirit expects us to bear fruit. To be fruitful in works and in character. Demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness etc...and to do things that edify the body and bring the lost to salvation.
6. The Holy Spirit expects us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Yielding our members as instruments of righteousness unto holiness.
7. The Holy Spirit expects for us to be continually filled with Him to the we under complete control and influence of Him, so that He might guide us and use us as He wills.
Although we can not do this in our own ability, strength, and power, as we yield our will, our mind, our body over to the control of the Holy Spirit and we co-operate with Him then we will begin to see growth in our spiritual state.
So, In conclusion:
Our STANDING IS BASED ON WHAT CHRIST DID FOR US.
OUR STATE IS DETERMINED AS TO WHAT EXTENT WE CHOOSE TO COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. |
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