Who are Carnal Christians 3-9-26

Which category do you fit in? Carnal Christians Who Walk in the Flesh ~ Versus Christians Walking in the Spirit

First, let’s see what carnal Christian means. We are saved, but if  we allow the flesh to take control it dominates. Carnal Christians are saved people who act like unsaved people. To be carnally minded is death (to suffer loss).  

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you (Romans 8:6-9).

From the onset of our new life (2 Corinthians 5:17), we became spiritual people but God gave us limited free will- I say LIMITED FREEWILL  because God is the only One who is total control; He is Sovereign! With that being said, even though we have free will, the Lord also has given us  the ability to make the right choices. (Romans 8:4).

We are born again with the Spirit of God/Christ living in us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to live (conduct) ourselves as spiritual people. Misconception: so many Christians think the are walking in the Spirit, but they are mistaken. The Lord has laid out His plan; what is expected of us. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians 5:6-17).

There are two applications- 1) We are positioned/placed into holiness by God. 2) We have the responsibility of fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.

1)       We are positioned into holiness and righteousness by God Almighty.  And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. We are required to learn the basics of Christianity: For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

It is absolutely necessary to know who we are in Christ; if not, we will be wavering, tossed to and from with every wind of doctrine (James). It is important to start from the basics and grown; being taught by people who truly understand the Word of God. They are appointed (graced) to tell/teach what they know, certain others have the specific grace assignment (Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11).

2)      We are to learn and understand that gifts have been given to us to edify (encourage) each other that God may be glorified. How to live our Christian lives which continues through the epistles (letters) that Paul wrote to the church.  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:24-25).

There are consequences for not functioning in what the Lord has called us to do.

1)      Not learning and understanding the Word of God will cause us to ineffective in serving/ministering to others. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).

2)      There will be a loss of rewards because the gift/talent was buried. In other words, these people know what their gifts are, yet they are not used and they will not receive rewards. They were not good and faithful servants. Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents (Matthew 25:24-26). There will be no excuses when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ!

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org