A proper understanding of salvation requires that we differentiate between our standing and our state as believers. When we got born again, our redemption was fully accomplished because of the finished works of Jesus Christ. This is our stance, which allows us to stand before God holy and righteous as if we had never sinned. However, although we have already been saved by grace, the outward manifestation of our righteousness is a constant and ongoing process of completion. This is our state, also called our earthly lives. Until we get to heaven, our state will not have caught up with our stance. Believing what God says about our righteousness and holiness, and letting Him work in us, will bring us to the point where our state eventually catches up to our stance.

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On our Christian walk, we are gradually becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Despite our progress, however, there is still a gap between who God says we are and what we see in our everyday lives; although He says we are the righteousness of God, sometimes we still do unrighteous things. Our faith in Christ is a critical component in this; we must believe what God says we are, even when our lives are not reflecting that yet. Our belief in our redemption contradicts what religion tells us, which is that our salvation hinges on what we do; the truth is that we are saved because of what Jesus did, and our trust in that. God never contradicts Himself; although our stance in perfection was forever determined when we believed in Jesus, our state of perfection, which refers to our earthly lives, is still unfinished. This is an important point that confuses many in the church. Understanding this gives us peace and lets God work in us to make us as righteous as He is.

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The devil has always been a thief. As believers, we must be on the alert for his attacks; one of the first things he tries to steal that God gave us is who we are in Christ. He did this with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and unsuccessfully tried again with Jesus in the wilderness; he tries it with us through guilt, shame, and condemnation. Because of what Adam did, we are born into this world already spiritually dead; being born again gives us new life and makes us new creations just like Christ in our spirits. Regardless of what the enemy says to us, we have been united with Jesus Christ and are now one with Him. We have been redeemed and made righteous and holy, not because of anything we do, but because of what Jesus already did. Confidence in our true identity keeps it from being stolen from us.

To support the ministry financially, text "CDMPodcast" to 74483 or visit www.worldchangers.org.