Dead Works 3-11-26

Comparing Spiritual Things With Spiritual Things

The saints in the church at Corinth were operating in the gifts, but their works were dead because of their carnality (operating in the flesh) which caused division.  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 

I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 

For when one says,

“I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

They were even divided when Paul and Apollos; which was the best. In other words, one group favored Paul and another favored Apollos, they were clicks, and there was envy and strife among them which caused them to feel better.

It is evident that there is nothing new under the sun; history repeats itself and this definitely is in some churches today. From what is read they were not taking their work/service seriously; they were more concerned about carnal things; that would gratify their flesh.

All the spiritual gifts were accessible to them; the gifts were being abused. God was glorified because they were operating in the flesh. The Lord God  has given every born again believer all the tools necessary to fulfill his or her destiny.

What God started (Philippians 1:6); a step by step process of spiritual growth (transformation). We are to continue function with all the graces (abilities given to us) until Christ returns. How can anyone say that some gifts ceased after the church age began, on the day of Pentecost? The devil is a liar!

The Holy Spirit had given them the power to fulfill God’s purpose because they were baptized with the Holy Spirit which was evidenced with speaking in tongues. This was for believers to be encouraged and built up in their faith for God’s glory.

Caution: To those who do not believe that all the gifts are still functioning today, you have no power although you’re saved. God’s holy Word is not for anyone to pick and choose; picking and choosing means that one doesn’t believer the whole counsel of God.

They believe what they want to believe; not believing is a lack of faith. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

For whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23b). One who lacks faith disobeys and disobedience is sin.

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.  For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:13-16).

Although this scripture is referring to the unsaved (carnal) person, the principle is the same with carnal Christians; they think and act like the unsaved.

Please come out the carnal mindset and let the Spirit take control!

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org