THE STATE OF THE BELIEVER
by Charles W. Wages

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I an instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:11-13)

It has often been pointed out that there is a difference between the standing of the believer and the state of the believer. Our standing as a child of God never changes. Since trusting Christ as Saviour, we have been placed in an eternal position by the eternal salvation that God has so graciously given. However, our state as to how we act and react while living in fleshly, earthly bodies has its ups and downs and changes as to how we live on earth.

Without pursuing the difference between our standing and state, we will concentrate on the state of the believer. I believe the scripture given, (Phil. 4:11-13), refers primarily to the apostle Paul's life as he served God on earth. They, also, refer to the physical necessities in order to live for and serve the Lord in the ministry God had given him. This can be confirmed by the words "hungry" and "full". However, that never seems to be Paul's primary concern, however necessary it might be. His primary concern was how to fulfill the ministry God had given him to preach, teach, and to help others serve the Lord. He wanted his "state" to be one in which his life would count for God. Therefore, his state was not just one of being hungry or completely satisfied.

God is interested in our emotional state, that is how we act and react to events, personal relationships, and the "ups" and "downs" that attend our human lives. The book of Philippians is characterized by the words "joy" and "rejoice", and encouragement to trust the Lord to take care of us in every circumstance. Read and reread that wonderful passage in Phil. 4:5-7

"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

The expression "be careful for nothing" is encouraging us to not be anxious or apprehensive about conditions beyond our control. The apostle Paul endured terrible experiences, physically and emotionally, and spiritually. However, he was able to write words of encouragement to believers. In 2 Cor. 1:8, he accounted his troubles in Asia and then wrote, "in that we despaired even of life". To despair utterly means to give up on life, physically, emotionally and spiriturally. How refreshing to read what the Spirit led Paul to pen in 2 Cor. 4:8.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;" Persecuted but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed."

And then to write in 2 Corinthians 4:18,

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

God is able to lift us from the depths of despair to the heights of heavenly joy. What truths to aid us in our emotional state. Yes, it is possible to be well fed physically, but "down in the dumps" emotionally.

God, no doubt, is interested in our "state" as to the daily necessities of food, shelter, clothing, etc. However, the most important aspect of our lives is our spiritual "state". God is interested in the well being of all His children. To illustrate this, the Word of God is often referred to as food items. For example, we read of milk, honey, bread in reference to the Scriptures. Its possible to "abound and be fed" as to the physical necessities and be starving spiritually We could be rich in this world's goods and be starving spiritually. This is the "state" of the majority of people in the world system. The wonderful verse in Philippians 4:19, doesn't just apply to our physical needs.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

We remember the warning of our Lord to a person who wanted his brother to divide his inheritance with him. Our Lord said to him, " Take heed and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth". (Luke 12:15)

The "spiritual state" of the believer is of utmost importance to the Lord. This speaks of our relationship to the Lord and determines the course of our lives as to the here and hereafter, the temporal and the eternal. To be healthy physically, we must eat the proper food; to be emotionally stable, we have to "trust the Lord to strengthen us; to be strong and sound in the faith, we must partake of God's spiritual food, the Word of God.

Our "state" vitally affects our life and services for the Lord. When we are emotionally upset and distraught, it is difficult to live and serve God. When we are spiritually bankrupt, it is impossible to serve in an acceptable way the Lord who loves us so much.

Yes, our standing as believers is secure; our state is sometimes shaky. God is taking care of our standing (Col. 2:10), we are greatly responsible for our state. We should depend upon God's ever present help to sustain and stablish.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me". Phil. 4:13

We often speak of "the state of the Union", the state of our affairs", or our 11state of mind", but what about our spiritual state? It is so easy to become cold, indifferent, and even spiritually "dead". It concerns more than our physical which can be a state of mind. It concerns our hearts. It involves more than our relationships with people. It concerns our relationship to the Lord and His Word. It is one thing to be content with our physical condition, but quite another to be content and self-satisfied with our spiritual condition. It is of utmost importance that believers stay close to the Lord through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with His children. We should be concerned with the spiritual condition of God's children. We can do this by being spiritually strong ourselves. Consider what Paul wrote in Colossians 4:7,

" All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellows servant in the Lord:"

Also in Philippians 2:19-20, "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when i know your state. For I have no man, likeminded, who will naturally care for your state."

May we be able to help others in their spiritual lives by being strong in the Lord ourselves.