An important distinction to the right understanding of the Scriptures is that which concerns the standing (or position) of the believer, and his state (or walk). The first is the result of the work of Christ, and is perfect and entire from the very moment that Christ is received by faith. Faith alone confers standing in God's sight, and before Him the weakest, most ignorant, most infirm and fallible man on earth, if he be a true believer on the Lord Jesus Christ, has precisely the same title as the most illustrious saint.
What our standing is, may be seen in the following Scriptures: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)). "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)).
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved), and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-64But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:4‑6)).
Every one of these marvelous things is true of everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. Not one item in this glorious inventory is gained by prayer, diligence in service, church-going, alms-giving, self-denial, holiness of life, or by any other description of good works. All are the gift of God, through Christ and therefore belong equally to all believers.
The very instant that the jailer of Philippi believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, he became a son of God, a joint heir with Christ, a king and priest, and the owner of an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance. In the instant that he believed with his heart and confessed with his mouth, Jesus as Lord, he was justified from all things, had peace with God, a standing in His grace, and a sure hope of glory. He received the gift of eternal life, was made accepted in the full measure of Christ's own acceptance, was sealed with the Holy Spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and was baptized into the mystical body of Christ. Instantly he was clothed with the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22)), quickened with Christ, raised with Him, and seated with Him in the heavenlies.
What his actual state may have been is quite another matter; certainly it was far, far below his exalted standing in the sight of God. It was not all at once that he became as royal, priestly, and heavenly in walk as he was at once in standing. The following passages will indicate the way these two things are constantly distinguished in the Scriptures.
Standing
"To the assembly of God which is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints" (1 Cor. 1:2 JnD).
State
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal... For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor. 3:1-31And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1‑3)).
"But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds" (Col. 3:8-98But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:8‑9)).
Notice that the divine order, under grace, is first to give the highest possible standing, and then to exhort the believer to maintain a state in accordance with it. The beggar is lifted up from the dunghill and set among princes (1 Sam. 2:88He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. (1 Samuel 2:8)), and then exhorted to be princely. See the following as examples.
Standing
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him" (1 Thess. 5:9-109For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9‑10)).
State
Scripture makes a clear distinction between the standing and state of the believer. The believer is not under probation to see if he is worthy of an inconceivable exalted position, but beginning with the confession of utter unworthiness, receives the position wholly as the result of Christ's work. Positionally he is "perfected forever" (Heb. 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)), but looking within, at his state, he must say, "not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect" (Phil. 3:1212Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12)).
It may be said that all the after-work of God in his behalf the application of the Word to his walk and conscience (John 17:1717Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17); Eph. 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26)), the chastisements of the Father's hand (Heb. 12:1010For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10); 1 Cor. 11:3232But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)), the ministry of the Spirit (Eph. 4:11-1211And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑12)), all the difficulties and trials of the wilderness way (1 Peter 4:12-1412Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:12‑14)), and the final transformation when He shall appear (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)) all are intended simply to bring the believer's character into perfect conformity to the position which is his the instant of his conversion. He grows in grace, indeed, but not into grace.
A prince, while a little child, is presumably as willful and as ignorant as other little children. Sometimes he may be very obedient, teachable and affectionate, and then he is happy and approved. At other times he may be unruly, self-willed and disobedient, and then he is unhappy and perhaps is chastised. But he is just as much a prince on the one day as on the other. It may be hoped that, as time goes on, he will learn to bring himself into willing subjection to every right way, and then he will be more princely, but not any more really a prince. He was born a prince.
In the case of every true son of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, this growth into kingliness is assured. In the end, standing and state, character and position, will be equal. But the position is not the reward of the perfected character the character is developed from the position.