I often time hear people claim they are believing Christian’s who are living a carnal life. That’s when I ask if they truly understand what the term, “Carnal Christian,” means? Sadly, even many decent God fearing Christians are confused as to what exactly it means to be living a life of a carnal Christian. Mind you, it is not a good thing to be called one, nor is it something one should joke about when referring to themselves as on.
Now usually new Christians struggle with this more than mature Christians, but there are some mature Christians that do live a life of a carnal. If you know a mature Christian who is carnal, chances are no one ever confronted them about their lifestyle.
The Bible calls a believer that acts like a non-believer is a carnal Christian. The word carnal pertains to flesh, bodily, temporal. The Bible tells us that being temporal, means to be earthly. Ultimately a carnal Christian is one who cares more about temporary things of the World instead of that which is heavenly or eternal.
Paul himself admitted he needed to change when he realized he was struggling with carnal desires, until he realized what he was doing, he was unable to change. Thus he wrote in his epistle to the Romans 7:7-25. He described how it was a constant struggle to fight against the fleshly motivations within him. The things he knew he should not do, he did and the things he knew he should do, he didn’t do.
Being carnal not only shows we do not appreciate what Christ did for us, it shows non-Christians that being a Christian is no different from anyone else. This usually results in non-believers looking at Christians as hypocrites. Worse yet, they see Christ as nothing special or different than any other religious figure. Sadly, this thinking, seals their demise and should break the hearts of every person who calls oneself a Christian.
Not being concerned about a brother or a sister living a carnal life is to not care about their soul. It is in essence saying you do not love them. You are telling a struggling Christian that you could care less if they live in a manner that could them to walk away from Christ.
We as humans cannot read each others hearts, so the only way we can know, or be close to knowing, if another person is a Christian is to witness the way they live and act. If they are outwardly living a life where they reflect the World more than Christ, then they are carnal and already stumbling in their walk with Christ.
As a Child of Christ, you are called to lovingly confront them, so as to keep them from walking away from Christ. These stumbling Christians will claim they know the Word, but their actions show that they have little regard for it. Many carnal Christians will flat-out ignore the Word when it comes to fleshly lusts. To see a brother or sister live like this and to not confront them is to demonstrate you yourself have very little love for them. Mind you, we ARE our brothers keeper. We are charged by Christ Himself to watch out for each other, lest we allow them to fall away in sin. If you see a struggling a Christian and ignore their struggle, then they are in danger of being lured away be the evil one.
Ever wonder what happened to that lady or man who seemed to love Christ so much that they sang loud, smiled at everyone, and seemed to have it all together? Then you started to notice a change in them. They backed away, and eventually became quieter, and then silent, and noticeably different. Then one day they were not coming to church anymore.
One day you see them around town and they were not act in good like the guy you saw a few Months ago. Maybe they needed someone to speak to them, but you figured it was t your business. Sadly, no one else did either. The falling away starts with one who never truly cares about sound doctrine, because it does not scratch their itchy ears. Oh they love the music and the quick 45 minute sermon, but they never let go of their love for life in the World. Mind you sound doctrine stings, like salt on a wound.
We are the salt and light of the World, unless we share it with others they will be lost, and unless we stand in the gap for each other, by judging each others actions, asking if all is well with members of the church who don’t seem to have conformed to Christ’s way, then we are guilty of allowing an open wound to fester until it kills the host.
Do NOT not act like it is not your place to correct, or rebuke a brother or sister who is living a carnal life and in danger of falling away. In 2Tim 4:2-3 Paul tells us to
“”””Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, REBUKE, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;””””
So do not act like it is not your place to step in and lovingly correct a brother or sister living a Carnal life. One day Jesus will either stand in the gap for you or He will not. One of the descriptions of a Christian life is for us to stand in the gap for our fellow Saints when we see them living a carnal life. We must do what we can to guide them back to the road that leads the celestial city.
I pray those with ears to hear, will hear the Voice of our Lord Jesus and act upon His calling. Amen .
Leave a Reply