Standing in Grace vs. Continuing in Grace

 

Standing in Grace vs. Continuing in Grace

Rom 5:2 "Through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand"

Acts 13:43 "Urged them to continue in the grace of God"

 

Items	Standing in Grace	Continuing in Grace
Core Meaning	• Positional assurance after justification by faith • Entering and standing firmly within the realm of grace • Grace as the foundation and sphere for standing • Emphasizing the present firm foothold	• Continuously abiding and experiencing the rich content of grace • The ongoing process of growth and experience in grace • Grace as the content and enjoyment of life • Emphasizing the continuity of abiding and experiencing
Practical Methods	Specific Approaches: • Turning to the spirit (not in mind or emotion) • Pray-reading the Word, singing hymns • Not arguing, not complaining • Being in the spirit means being in Christ Recovery Methods: • Immediately pray when feeling outside grace's realm • Confess sins, receive Lord Jesus, apply the blood • "Lord, forgive me. Bring me back to the realm of grace"	Continuous Approaches: • Receiving the resurrected Christ as the holy and faithful • Experiencing the various processes of the Triune God • Enjoying grace in daily life Deep Experience: • Experiencing the processes of incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection • Enjoying the compound, all-inclusive grace • Continuously remaining in the rich content of grace
Main Distinctions	• Aspect: Positional certainty • Emphasis: Firm foothold • Scope: Grace's realm and boundaries • Focus: How to stand firm • Goal: Not departing from grace's realm	• Aspect: Experiential richness • Emphasis: Continuous experience • Scope: Grace's content and substance • Focus: How to experience deeply • Goal: Enjoying all the riches of grace
Biblical Basis	Related Verses: • 1 Cor 15:1 "In which also you stand" • 1 Pet 5:12 "This is the true grace of God; stand fast in it" • Eph 6:13 "Take up the whole armor of God...to stand"	Related Verses: • John 15:9 "Abide in My love" • Col 2:6 "Rooted and being built up in Him" • 1 John 4:16 "He who abides in love abides in God"
Practical Applications	In Interpersonal Conflicts: When about to quarrel, stop and turn to spirit, stand in grace In Church Life: When facing criticism and judgment, don't argue, stand in grace In Spiritual Low Times: When feeling outside grace's realm, immediately return to grace In Daily Practice: Maintain position in grace through pray-reading and singing	In Daily Life: Continuously experience God's love and patience, fellowship in grace In Church Building: Continuously experience Christ's riches in church, build the church In Spiritual Growth: Enjoy the Triune God as grace in all aspects of daily life In Life Transformation: Experience Christ's death and resurrection, grow in grace
Nature of Grace	As a Realm: • Grace is the realm and foundation for our standing • The Triune God Himself as our foothold • The processed God as our basis As Position: • Undeserved favor and outward blessings • The position God gives us after justification • The realm in which we have peace	As Content: • Grace is the content and substance of our enjoyment • God Himself within us as the grace we enjoy • Compound of all holy and faithful things As Experience: • The Triune God through incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection • Experiencing various aspects of compound grace daily • God living in us, we living in God
Mutual Relationship	Foundational Position: • Provides firm foundation for continuing in grace • Necessary condition for entering grace experience • Without firm standing, no continuous experience Prerequisite: • Must first stand in grace before continuing in grace • Standing is static assurance, paving way for dynamic experience	Development and Deepening: • Develops deeply based on standing in grace • Rich experience reinforces firm standing • Without rich experience, standing becomes hollowUltimate Goal: • Both point to complete enjoyment in the Triune God • Ultimately for God to gain an organism as His expression
Illustrative Examples	Brother's Words: "How do we stand in grace? Specifically speaking, it is to turn to our spirit... Once we turn to our spirit, we stand in grace. No matter how others criticize, judge, or argue, never open your mouth, don't reason, learn to turn to your spirit." Practical Examples: • When about to quarrel with wife, stop and return to grace's realm • When facing judgment, don't reason, turn to spirit	Brother's Words: "God's grace is compounded of all the holy and faithful things... we experience that compound, all-inclusive grace, which is the processed Triune God." Practical Examples: • Experiencing various riches of Christ in church life • Enjoying different aspects of Triune God as grace in daily life
Key Scripture Exposition	Romans 5:2 Footnote: "Faith first brings us into grace, then enables us to stand firmly in grace. Grace is the Triune God Himself, having passed through various processes, for us to enter into and enjoy." Practical Meaning: Grace is the realm in which we stand; we must remain where grace is	Acts 13:43 Footnote: "This grace of God is the Triune God Himself, received and enjoyed by believers, and manifested in their salvation, life transformation, and sanctified living." Practical Meaning: To continue in grace implies we have received this grace and now need to remain in it continuously
Ultimate Goals	Personal Level: • Having a firm position before God • Not being shaken by circumstances and people • Having rest and peace in Christ Church Level: • When all believers receive grace, the church is established • Those who see grace know Christ, having nothing to argue about	Personal Level: • Experiencing the riches and transformation of God's life • Manifesting Christ in daily life • Becoming the flowing and testimony of God's grace Church Level: • God gaining an organism as His expression • Christ gaining full expression in the church

 

Conclusion:

The analysis of "Standing in Grace" versus "Continuing in Grace" reveals two complementary yet distinct aspects of the believer's relationship with God's grace. Standing in Grace emphasizes the positional security and firm foundation that believers have through justification by faith, providing a stable platform from which to experience God. Continuing in Grace emphasizes the ongoing, experiential richness of enjoying the compound, all-inclusive grace that is the processed Triune God Himself.

These two aspects are inseparable: without a firm standing, there can be no continuous experience; without rich experience, standing becomes merely positional without substance. Together, they lead believers into the fullness of enjoying the Triune God and enable God to gain an organism—the church—as His complete expression.

 

*Please refer to April 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and the Vital Aspects of Acts Chapter 6 Grace in Acts