Is there such thing as a carnal Christian?

What's a carnal Christian? I'm assuming you don't mean a Christian who's not a vegeterian

 

No,I don't see evidence in scripture to support that concept. 1 John says what a believer will be like...if someone is living in sin as a way of life,that categorizes their life,they are not born of God.

[ November 26, 2002, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Molly ]

 

God demands complete loyalty & devoted holiness from all His children. I have seen those who seem ashamed of belonging to Christ, in that they do everything they can to blend in with the lifestyles, attitudes & philosophies of the world because they are too afraid to be different from the world.

God's Word demands separation from false doctrine, unbelief & worldliness. I think a carnal Christian lacks backbone & would rather please men & certainly have no fear of God.

 

Peter walked with Jesus, was greatly loved by Jesus, and still denied Jesus for a time.

We all have our weaknesses and shortcomings but these periods in our lives do not mean that we are not true believers.

 

i believe paul talks about battle between spirit & flesh,would'nt that fall in that area ?

 

But Paul also goes on to say that we need to walk with the Spirit, not the flesh. Yes, it's a constant battle; but those of us that are convinced/convicted something is wrong, and continue to do it anyway, tend to lead toward's Paul's additional message of making the crucifixion for naught.

We ain't perfect; but if we knowingly and willingly sin, shouldn't we be asking ourselves if we've truly allowed God to save us?

 

Watch me get shot down here. I think "new" Christians can certainly be carnal but our fleshly ways and desires should diminish during our walk with Christ. Carnality can have more definitions than those that "first" cross our minds when we hear the word.

In Christ - Jim

 

I won't be doing the shooting. I happen to agree with you.

I like to give the benefit of the doubt to those brothers and sisters who appear to be carnal. Instead of judging them and concluding that they must not be truly saved, I like to think they are having an off day/week/month/year and are in need of prayer and encouragement. Our Heavenly Father knows I have been there and probably will be again if He tarries in His return.

 

If they have a pattern of true repentance,then that is right,they are walking in the spirit,but if the sin is a way of life.....that area has not been given to the Lordship of Christ,then their salvation is in question. Yes,we may all strguggle and even choose to sin at times,but true believers will not "live" in that sin. Repentance is a mark of true salvation.

Remember Paul said we are no longer slaves to sin(those who are saved).....but we choose to sin.

 

Preach I feel that Peter did let a little time lapse between his sin and his return to the Lord. I feel that he felt about as bad about his performance as I do when I fall. Although John says "if ye sin" not "when you sin" in 1st John he also goes on to say that we have an advocate. While we should grow closer to the image of Christ each day we do continue to sin. I ask god daily to help me walk holy and not to list and grade some sins above others as this practice tends to help me rationalize my sins as minor ones and my neighbors as major. As Paul said that which I would do I do not and that which I do I would not. Thank God for the Grace that Jesus bought for me.
Murph

 

i agree with all of ya'll,for once we're all

basically
right.we should walk like Christ & want to be more like him ,as we grow in his grace,

i also believe, the true mark of a christian,is whether or not the Holy spirit does let you know
you are doing something displeasing to God,any thing from a bad thought to a wrong deed. anyway i've tried fooling Him,playing around,going my way, & found out the hard way he is a jealous God,
& i'm not my own, i'm bought with a price,a very dear price,the Blood of Jesus Christ at calvery. this is a good post ya'll glad to be part bill