The Plight of the Carnal Christian

There are some things as a minister that are unpleasant to deal with, and one of the most unpleasant things to deal with is false doctrine. I get correspondence all the time from those who would like for me to stop teaching against unconditional eternal security or "once-saved, always-saved" doctrine. I really wish that I didn't have to devote so much attention to the topic, but because it has so permeated the pulpits and tv/radio-pulpits of the world, I feel that as a watchman I must deal with it. Jude instructed every Christian that we should "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints", and with that in mind- I feel that I must continue to stand against this heretical teaching. Today we're going to look at one of the favorite terms of UES/OSAS preachers (henceforth I will use these acronymns which stand for "unconditional eternal security" and "once saved, always saved")- the term "carnal Christian." To be fair, the bible does speak of those who are carnal, but they do not enjoy the security that some of these teachers promise them.

The church of Corinth is commonly cited as proof that even the most carnally-minded individuals are saved and on their way to heaven (and ready for the "catching away"/rapture of the church). This line of thinking comes from the fact that Paul called them "carnal" and yet still addresses them as saints and speaks of the resurrection and issues regarding spiritual gifts, etc.. I think some of the confusion comes from the fact that these teachers fail to make a distinction between the "carnal" and the "unrighteous." This might seem like a minute point to make, but it is well worth the effort to distinguish between the two. The reason that Paul warns this church about their "carnality" is so that they will straighten up and not be among "the unrighteous." Let me illustrate this point from the scriptures.

I Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Oddly enough, this is the only mention of the "carnality" of the Corinthians, although you hear the term thrown about as though it entailed every aspect of the church at Corinth. Notice why they were referred to as carnal- it had nothing to do with sexual immorality or drunkenness or idolatry- it had everything to do with their selfish attitudes and partisan spirit. We still have problems and divisions in the church to this day, so in many respects that aspect of carnality still rears it's ugly head. Most denominations won't cooperate together to do anything for the Lord for fear of losing their membership to other denominations or possibly "contaminating" themselves by associating with other brothers and sisters in the Lord. Don't get me wrong-I'm not talking about an ecumenical cooperation whereby we lay aside all biblical standards and hold hands with all of the false doctrines and false gods of the world- to that degree we are to separate ourselves. But it is a shame when the church refuses to fellowship with other believers based on differences on (what I refer to as) peripheral issues.

This selfish, partisan spirit at Corinth was reflected in much of their actions. We read that they were being very selfish in their display of spiritual gifts-not concerned about the edification of other believers. We also read that they were selfish in their appropriation of the Lord's supper. They were going to court in legal matters against each other. They needed a good lesson in love and that's why the "love chapter" (as it is affectionately known) is sandwiched in-between directions for the operation of spiritual gifts. The carnality demonstrated at Corinth mostly dealt with their lack of love for others. It is at this point that we must now make the important distinction (as scripture does as well) between the two classes of people: the carnal and the unrighteous. Paul is careful to make this point to the folks at Corinth. Let's take a look at what scripture calls "the unrighteous" :

I Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

I think it's interesting that the Holy Spirit begins this passage on the unrighteous by saying "know ye not?" In essense He was stating that they should have a firm grasp on this spiritual truth and it was a sad indictment that they didn't. Sadly, many today still just "don't get it." The fate of the unrighteous is that of eternal torment and exclusion from the kingdom of God. The warnings against their carnality are there so that the saints at Corinth don't eventually become the unrighteous. Backsliding is a process-James 1 identifies the way that a person goes down the slippery slope:

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Notice that first it starts with temptation- then the temptation is meditated upon and gives birth to iniquity. James uses the terminology of "conception" (like getting pregnant with the sin). Then finally, the sin is "finished" or actually carried out by the body-thereby causing and bringing forth death. Paul by the Holy Spirit was warning the immature carnal Christians at Corinth that if they did not abandon their selfish/carnal ways, they could degenerate into that class of people called the unrighteous. One more note about this-notice in I Corinthians 6:11 after listing all of those sinful deeds that will exclude one from the kingdom of God, he says and such WERE some of you. It is very telling that he did not say and such ARE some of you. Anyone that teaches that sexual immorality, and drunkenness, homosexuality, and the other poisons listed in that chapter are merely examples of immaturity and carnality are dead wrong. These are conditions that will exclude one from the kingdom altogether if not repented of and forsaken!

In another article, I'm going to take a look at another one of the favorite proof-text examples of OSAS and that is the "immoral brother" of I Corinthians chapter 5. The Immoral "Brother" of I Corinthians chapter 5

Lest anyone should think that being carnal is a place of safety- let me remind you of this verse in Romans.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

May the Lord help us all to be spiritually minded and avoid the dangers of carnality!

God bless you as you continue to study His Word!