There are “Three Classes” of professing Christians. There are those who are saved and know it. There are those who are saved and are not sure of it. And there are those who are not saved but think they are. When asked if they are saved, some Christians say, “I hope so,” others say, “I trust so,” while many think it presumptuous or arrogant and say we cannot know until we die.
The reason why so many Christians are not sure that they are saved is because they do not distinguish between their “STANDING”, their “STATE,” and their “EXPERIENCE.” The only place that we can find out as to this is in the Word of God. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, what does the Bible have to say about it?
First, it says that the Christian’s “STANDING” is that of a SON (okay ladies, a daughter too!) The Scripture says” As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the SONS OF GOD.” (John 1:12-13) The Scripture also says of our standing, “Beloved now are we the Sons of God.” (1 John 3:2) And this Sonship makes us HEIRS, “And if Children, then Heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17)
The good news is this Heirship guarantees our PRESERVATION, for we are kept by the “Power of God,” to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that it doesn’t fade away, “Reserved in Heaven” for us. (1 Peter 1:4-5) Our Lord declared with full authority “And no man shall be able to pluck us out of His Hand, nor the FATHER’s HAND” (John 10:27-29), for we are “SEALED” unto the Day of Redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
As a result, our “Spiritual life” is “Hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) Therefore, if my life is “Hid in Christ” by God for safe keeping, that means that neither you nor I have it and therefore, cannot lose it! These truths have to do with my Standing with God. MY STATE is not the same, and may vary from moment to moment. What exactly do you mean? Our STANDING with God is forever settled and sure for all eternity based on the afore-mentioned truths.
While the above is true, there is another factor that must be considered. While it is true that we are “NOW THE SONS & DAUGHTERS OF GOD”, we STILL have our “Sin Nature” with us! When God redeemed us at Salvation, He DID NOT redeem our “Fleshly Nature” or our “Adamic Nature” as some would call it. Therefore, we can say that based on the reality of the “New Birth” and the reality of the “Sin Nature”, we have “Two Natures.”
Our new nature that we received as a result of the new birth is perfect and CANNOT sin. Why is that so? Because it is the very nature of God Himself! The Scripture says of this truth, “That which is born of God CANNOT sin.” (1 John 3:9) However, on the other hand the Scripture teach that even as born again believers we can and still do commit sin! The apostle John says it like this: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us. If we Confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-10)
It is at this point that I must inject another profound truth before I conclude this section. We must learn to distinguish between “SIN” and “SINS.” Sin is that inward disposition to do wrong that we inherited from Adam. Sins are the specific acts of sin that we commit due to the disposition to sin in us. Our Lord Jesus died on the cross to remove the disposition to sin from us, and by accepting Him as Personal Savior we get a New Nature in which there is no disposition to sin. That is why Paul could say later in Romans 6:11, “Reckon Ourselves Dead,” that is, we should consider ourselves “dead to sin” and act and live like a person who had died to their old manner of life. How can we do that?
Paul gives us the answer: “Walk in the Spirit, and You Shall Not fulfill the Lust of the Flesh” (Galatians 5:16). We are told again by the apostle to not let sin “Reign in our Mortal Body, and the promise is “Sin Shall not Have Dominion Over You” (Romans 6:12-14). We see from this that while a Christian’s STANDING is settled and sure, his STATE may vary and he will either be Sinful or he will Sin_ _ _ less depending on whether the “New Man” or the “Old Man” is in control!
I am about to shout right now, but let me say a final word about the Believer’s “EXPERIENCE.” As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are currently in Egypt, the Wilderness or, headed for Canaan. Egypt represents the World, the Wilderness represents the fleshly nature, and Canaan represents the peaceful and joyful reality of Heaven and the presence of Almighty God!
In the Christian life, we are sometimes on the Egypt side, still living and thinking like we did when we were in slavery in Pharaoh’s brickyard. There are other times in which we are wondering in the Wilderness due to our sin and rebellion, and consequently, God will allow us to wander aimlessly, going nowhere and doing nothing productive for the kingdom. However, many of us are experiencing the peace, rest, and pure joy that come from walking in Holy Communion with our Savior and Lord. Where are you?
