Carnal Christianity‏

Hello Friends!

False teaching, crude ideas and apostasy is at an all-time high in today's church, causing many to live carnal lives or fall away from the Lord all together. Therefore, I would like to share the following thoughts on this subject.  The Scriptures contend that the Lord cares deeply about how we choose to live our lives and with what we decide to fill our hearts and minds...

Carnal Christianity

Today we are experiencing a crisis of carnality in Christianity. Carnality is that spiritual state where a born-again Christian knowingly and persistently lives to please and serve self rather than to please and serve Christ. I believe much of what is wrong in our lives is attributable to our carnality. I'm not saying every time Christians have a problem it is because they are living in a carnal way, but I am suggesting that too many of us are experiencing failure because we are carnal - only halfway living out the Gospel. We must not take God's Grace for granted.

A Genuine Christian

First, it is important to recognize that a carnal Christian is a genuine Christian. It is entirely possible to be on your way to heaven but to be no good to God on earth. Carnal Christians have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, but they refuse to submit to Christ as their Lord in all areas of life. When I speak of carnality, I'm not referring to non-Christians. Also, we sometimes see people who say they have been born again but are not living the Christian life - baring no spiritual fruit (see Galatians 5:22-23). We may be tempted to say that person was never a Christian to begin with. But it's entirely possible that person is a Christian who has become lukewarm and failed in their faith. In 1 Corinthians 3:1 Paul says:

"I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ".

Notice that Paul addresses the Corinthians as "brethren," which means they are part of the family of God. If we look back to 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul says he is writing:

"to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus."

These are saints and members of the church; they are set apart for God's purposes. Yet Paul proceeds to teach these Christians about their wrongs and to tell them they are carnal.

There are many biblical illustrations of individuals who committed themselves to God, yet experienced abysmal failures. For example, King Solomon was a wise and committed king. But 1 Kings 11 says Solomon loved many women. He entered into a life of carnality reflected in the book of Ecclesiastes, which he wrote to convey the meaninglessness of life outside of a relationship with God.

My point? Getting "saved" many years ago doesn't fix us spiritually today. God gave you new life but you must live the new life He gave you for that life to be meaningful. Unless we live this Christian life day by day in a dynamic walk with God, it is possible for us to be spiritual failures.

A Stagnant Christian

The carnal Christian is a stagnant Christian. First Corinthians 3:2-3 says:

"I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly."

One notable feature of carnal Christians is that even though they have been saved for a period of time, they've had little to no spiritual development during that time. They still commit the same sins; they still refuse to think biblically; they still refuse to relate to God as God demands, but they are in the same seat every Sunday morning (this was true of my walk with the Lord for the first several years of my Christian life until I learned of true Biblical repentance). Paul says these carnal Christians subsist on milk; they haven't graduated to solid food yet. Carnal Christians are spiritual babies because they don't have the capacity to feed themselves spiritual food; they have to be spoon-fed by someone else. Hebrews 5:11 says they:

"...have become dull of hearing"

The word "dull" is translated as hard-headed, like a mule. They are stubborn, refusing to learn and apply the truth of God to their lives.

Further Discussions

 

Rob Pue, the editor of Wisconsin Christian News recently documented an experience he had with a Facebook “friend” who describes herself as a Christian while at the same time listing a song by singer Lady Gaga as her favorite new song.  Mr Pue then cited another example of a pastor’s Facebook page that presents the pastor’s favorite secular TV shows and movies; selections that promote a myriad of behaviors and viewpoints that are totally antithetical to Christianity.  Rob respectfully and biblically examined the entertainment choices selected by these individuals and challenged them to ponder why anyone who claims to be one of God’s sanctified people would embrace these clear demonstrations of carnality.  He also warns us to watch out for pastors who preach a gospel that embraces such carnality by proclaiming a message that we can be both worldly and Christian.  Instead, Rob properly warns that we should put off the old man and put on the new so that we can bear fruit for Christ.  

Many pastors today are feeding carnal Christians in the church at the expense of the spiritual health of the true believers in their congregations. This is the foundation of the seeker-friendly church movement that has been plaguing congregations in America and throughout the world. Chapters 2 & 3 of the New Testament book of Revelation describes Jesus Christ as He speaks to the 7 literal churches. Only the church of Philadelphia was commended for being "alive" and fruitful, receiving a promise from the Lord to be kept from the great time to tribulation that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world (see Revelation 3:10). Is that promise true for you?

Time is running short and Jesus is coming soon to Rapture His true church. Are you ready? Repent and receive Him before it's too late! It could happen at any moment...

Blessings on your studies and involvement in understanding and sharing the Truth!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you.  Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

 

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