Post by Sheila on Nov 10, 2024 10:25:47 GMT -5
Many pastors and teachers today use the term "carnal Christians" to describe people. What does this mean? If the definitions in various dictionaries are used, it would mean that these are Christians who are indistinguishable from non-Christians through acts that are "of the flesh" and not spiritual and/or are caused by living through material or worldly ways. The term can truly apply to all Christians at one time or another because no Christian can live a perfect life and will, sooner or later, fall to a temptation to sin. However, too often this term is used to justify people who live in continuous sin and don't think there's any problem with living the way they do.
Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). So if you profess to be a Christian, do you feel remorse for the times you sin against God? You should because doing so shows you love both Christ and his laws and demonstrates your sorrow for not obeying. Do you go to him and ask his forgiveness for those sins and do your best, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to never do the same thing again? This is the way it should be because "no one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they can not go on sinning because they have been born of God" (1 John 3:9). A true believer and follower of Christ has the leading of the Spirit and, although they may sometimes not listen to the guiding voice, it's always there and the Christian will know and understand when they do wrong and will take steps to make the needed corrections in their lives.
Or do you feel you're truly a follower of Christ even though you continue to live your life in ways that are in opposition to God's laws, which is a life of and in sin? In Romans 8:5-8, we're told that those who live according to the flesh - are carnal - focus on and are governed by fleshly desires, are hostile to God, do not submit to God's laws, and can't please God. This is not a momentary backsliding which is followed by remorse and repentance; this is continuing to live in the way the person sees fit. This is ignoring the laws of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so the person can do what best pleases them. Not only do you have to accept Jesus as Savior to be a true Christian, you must also accept him as Lord. With this being the case, his laws and commands can't be tossed aside at the choosing of the person professing to be a Christian. While the life of a new Christian may not instantly change in all areas, there should be change over time. If there is no change, the person remains hostile to God in every way.
The way the term "carnal Christian" is used so often to describe all Christians can be misleading. Yes, Christians often fall into the temptation to follow the flesh instead of the Spirit. The problem lies in the fact that many people sitting in the pews believe they're true followers of Christ and really aren't. They think they follow Christ and they're carnal acts are only little sins and won't affect they're profession of faith. However, there's not even a hint that they're following the leading of the Spirit and they continue to do everything the same way they did before they claimed to be a Christian. They don't even intend to make any changes because they don't see they're sins as sins. Worse, they think they can continue in the same sin or sins from the day they accept Jesus as Savior until they day they die and still be forgiven of those acts. But did they sincerely accept on faith that Jesus is both Lord and Savior? To purposefully continue to break the rules and laws set by Christ is not a person who should labeled as a "carnal Christian", but one who shouldn't be labeled as a Christian at all.
So are you a "carnal Christian" who has simply made a bad choice and sinned against God but are willing to admit the mistake and repent of the sin? Do you honestly feel remorse and sorrow for the temporary disobedience to the Lord you profess to follow? Or are you a self-professed follower of Christ who doesn't have any intention of actually doing as he commands? Think hard about those questions before you answer them. When you come up with the answer make sure it's an honest one. Remember the warning recorded by Matthew. "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). The person who does the will of God, occasionally sins, and then repents of the sin can be called a "carnal Christian". The person who lives in continual sin without remorse or repentance, can only be called carnal and not a Christian.
* All quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible.
Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). So if you profess to be a Christian, do you feel remorse for the times you sin against God? You should because doing so shows you love both Christ and his laws and demonstrates your sorrow for not obeying. Do you go to him and ask his forgiveness for those sins and do your best, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to never do the same thing again? This is the way it should be because "no one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they can not go on sinning because they have been born of God" (1 John 3:9). A true believer and follower of Christ has the leading of the Spirit and, although they may sometimes not listen to the guiding voice, it's always there and the Christian will know and understand when they do wrong and will take steps to make the needed corrections in their lives.
Or do you feel you're truly a follower of Christ even though you continue to live your life in ways that are in opposition to God's laws, which is a life of and in sin? In Romans 8:5-8, we're told that those who live according to the flesh - are carnal - focus on and are governed by fleshly desires, are hostile to God, do not submit to God's laws, and can't please God. This is not a momentary backsliding which is followed by remorse and repentance; this is continuing to live in the way the person sees fit. This is ignoring the laws of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so the person can do what best pleases them. Not only do you have to accept Jesus as Savior to be a true Christian, you must also accept him as Lord. With this being the case, his laws and commands can't be tossed aside at the choosing of the person professing to be a Christian. While the life of a new Christian may not instantly change in all areas, there should be change over time. If there is no change, the person remains hostile to God in every way.
The way the term "carnal Christian" is used so often to describe all Christians can be misleading. Yes, Christians often fall into the temptation to follow the flesh instead of the Spirit. The problem lies in the fact that many people sitting in the pews believe they're true followers of Christ and really aren't. They think they follow Christ and they're carnal acts are only little sins and won't affect they're profession of faith. However, there's not even a hint that they're following the leading of the Spirit and they continue to do everything the same way they did before they claimed to be a Christian. They don't even intend to make any changes because they don't see they're sins as sins. Worse, they think they can continue in the same sin or sins from the day they accept Jesus as Savior until they day they die and still be forgiven of those acts. But did they sincerely accept on faith that Jesus is both Lord and Savior? To purposefully continue to break the rules and laws set by Christ is not a person who should labeled as a "carnal Christian", but one who shouldn't be labeled as a Christian at all.
So are you a "carnal Christian" who has simply made a bad choice and sinned against God but are willing to admit the mistake and repent of the sin? Do you honestly feel remorse and sorrow for the temporary disobedience to the Lord you profess to follow? Or are you a self-professed follower of Christ who doesn't have any intention of actually doing as he commands? Think hard about those questions before you answer them. When you come up with the answer make sure it's an honest one. Remember the warning recorded by Matthew. "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). The person who does the will of God, occasionally sins, and then repents of the sin can be called a "carnal Christian". The person who lives in continual sin without remorse or repentance, can only be called carnal and not a Christian.
* All quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible.
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers