I love Romans 5:3. It helps me remember the difference between my standing and my state. It says, “Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand…” Ephesians chapters 1-3 define our standing, while chapters 4-6 define our state. In Ephesians 4:1 Paul said to walk worthy of our calling. Verse 2 says, “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”

We are eternally settled in our standing, but our walk (state) can fluctuate moment by moment. It depends on how deeply God’s word is implanted in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Our standing is continual, perpetual, with no break in continuity. However, our state can ebb and flow. Mark 4:17 is a great example. It says, “And they have no root in themselves, and so endure for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.”

The children of Israel were to be circumcised. It was a sign that they were set apart for God. Colossians 2:11 says that we are circumcised without hands. Romans 2:29 says that circumcision is in the heart by the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the work of sanctification. At salvation (standing), we are set apart for the Lord. Our walk (state) is progressive, ongoing.

Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” JB Phillips says to not let the world squeeze you into its mold. The deeper we implant God’s word, the greater the depth of inner transformation. Metamorphosis is the process of the crawling caterpillar being transformed into an air bore butterfly. The difference is eating leaves (walking in the flesh) or drinking deeply of sweet, life-sustaining nectar (walking in the Spirit).

God’s words is living and active. As we bring it into our hearts, it will transform the way we think and act. His hidden word is our weapon to overcome the lusts of our flesh. 1 John 2:14 says, “…I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

This is our key to overcoming any fleshly stronghold. It is God’s implanted word, deeply rooted, that actively penetrates between our soul and spirit. It is like a skilled surgeon’s scalpel. It is precise (addressing our need) exact (no grey area) to bring the needed character quality transformation that will set us apart from the world’s system.

I invite you to my Facebook page, under Marilyn Adams, to read my daily devotionals.