That word "maintained" caught my eye too, but I thought the "in Christ" part might mean something along the lines of Philippians 4:7 KJV
[SUP] [/SUP]And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
@Messageofthecross,
If a person has believed the gospel of the grace of God rightly, then in this ministry, the ministry of reconciliation, that person is seal with the holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption, approved of God, a purchased possession, a new creature God is currently forming for a vocation in the household. Righteous, because we are positionally identified "in Christ" as the church the body of Christ.
When it comes to our house of doctrine, if we deny correct teaching because of carnal thinking, then Christ denies us the fruit of the truth to abound to our account, but we never lose our position in righteousness, because He cannot deny Himself and Jesus is our righteousness, righteousness which is by the faith of God.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[SUP]12 [/SUP]If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
[SUP]13 [/SUP]If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.