Different States of Man

WE are born into a state of innocence, and we remain in this condition

until we have attained unto the years of responsibility and accountability. No

doubt some children arrive at this period of their lives sooner than others.

Some children are naturally more precocious than others.

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezek. 18:20.) The little child has no

sins. It is sinless. To illustrate the characteristics that should inhere in his

disciples, Jesus called a little child unto him. "At the same time came the

disciples unto Jesus,saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little

child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto

you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter

into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:1-3.)

There are two ways of getting out of this innocent state of childhood. One

way is to die while yet in this condition. All children who thus die are safe in

the paradise of God. Parents weep not for your innocent children who have

preceded you. The other way out of this innocent state is to live until we have

become accountable for our deeds and actions. This brings us into the second

state of our existence—the one of condemnation before God. "But the

scripture hath concluded all under sin. that the promise by faith of Jesus

Christ might be given to them that believe." (Gal. 3:22.)

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ

Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1.) The

opposite of this would be that so long as we remain out of Christ Jesus we are

under condemnation. This coincides exactly with many other plain passages

of Scripture. In giving his farewell commission to his apostles, Jesus said: "He

that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall

be damned." (Mark 16:16.)

Thus we can get out of this state of condemnation by faith in Christ Jesus,

repenting of our sins, making the confession of our faith, and being buried by

baptism for the remission of our sins. In other words, we get into Jesus Christ

by being baptized into him. There is no other possible way to get into Christ.

''Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were

baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into

death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the

Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have beenplanted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (Rom. 6:3-5.) "For by one Spirit are we all baptized

into one body." (1 Cor. 12. 13.) "For ye are all the children of God by faith

in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put

on Christ." (Gal. 3:26,27.)

Thus we have already seen that there are two ways out of the state of

innocence. So it is with the state of condemnation. We can live and die in that

state, and then be eternally damned; or we can give heed to the gospel of

Christ, and thus be translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom

of God's dear Son. 

 Obedience to the gospel plan of salvation brings us into a state of

justification before God. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2

Cor. 5:17.) However, it is possible to fall from this lofty estate and be finally

and eternally lost in hell. Jesus said: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will

give thee a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10.) If Christians are not faithful until death,

and even unto death, there will be no crown.

In 2 Pet. 1 the inspired writer enumerates seven Christian graces or virtues.

Without these traits no Christian can be saved. "Wherefore the rather,

brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do

these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto

you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ." (2 Pet. 1:10, 11.) It is no wonder Paul wrote after this fashion: "But

I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.'" (1 Cor. 9:27.)

This great Christian fully realized that it was highly possible and probable for

a Christian to become a castaway. We would to God that all members of the

church thus appreciated this fearful contemplation. "Therefore we ought to

give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let

them slip." (Heb. 2:1.)

The ones who are in the state of ignorance are not reading this article.

They are the babies and the mere children. They are safe. But we are hoping

that many who are not Christians will read these words. May we urge upon

you to get out of that state of condemnation and set into the one of

justification. Every hour you live in condemnation von are living; without God

and without hope. What a fearful state in which to be found! Will you flee to

the outstretched hands of love and mercy while mercy lingers and the

opportunity is yours? Many others will read this who are faithful members of

the body of Christ. They are justified in his holy sight. May I urge you with all

the power of my soul to be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding" in the

work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the

Lord.'' (1 Cor. 15:58.)

Every creature upon God's good earth is in the state of innocence,

condemnation, or justification. When time shall be no more and the elements

shall melt with fervent heat, we shall find ourselves in one of two states. It will

be heaven or hell for everyone of us. While it is possible while in the flesh to

pass from one state to another, there is no passing over and between the two

eternal states. There is a great gulf "fixed". They that would pass from one to

the other cannot. (Luke 16:19-31.)

In describing the duration of heaven and the duration of eternal

punishment. Christ used identically the same word. The translators of our

Common Version have given us two words— "eternal" and "everlasting." Let

us give earnest heed to these solemn words of Jesus Christ: "Then shall he say

also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting

fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt. 25:41.) And finally: "And

these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life

eternal." (Verse 46.)