The Carnal Christian

Upon encountering the title of this article one’s first thought might seem negative about it, but with all who become “born again” there is a period of growth that involves learning in the Word of God about the “old man,” which is the sin nature first seen in Adam and Eve, then in the entirety of their progeny—mankind (Rom 5:12-19). Upon rebirth the soul becomes “spiritually minded,” due to the imparting of the Spirit of God and the new nature (new man); and the old man continues to become more obviously identifiable so that we can continue to be taught by it—through the contrast of it with the new man!

Thus, it’s our position in Christ that will mature our walk in Christ, as the carnality will be seen to progressively decrease, as our spirituality increases, thereby maturing from a carnal Christian to a spiritual Christian (1Co 3:1); which within the last few generations requires much time due to the multitude of errant Biblical doctrines, resulting (in my opinion) from the lack of fundamental spiritual-growth-centered teachings (and just not enough Word-time reading and studying).

Thus there now coexists two natures in the soul of the believer, the old man and the new man; and through these both God’s school of godliness is taught, by which those reborn will all “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29), and thereby “grow up into Him in all things” (Eph 4:15).

All believers will pass through the “babe-in-Christ” stage (1Co 3:1), for though Christ is in you at rebirth, He is in not yet “formed in you” (Gal 4:19), that is, “unto a perfect man” (mature-in-Christ Eph 4:13), which concerns our “walk” or lifestyle. Redemption-wise believers are complete in Christ, which the lifestyle will manifest more all the time of what we already are in Christ.

As long as we are presently earthly bound we can never be completely free of carnality, which always remains to some degree or another, due to the indwelling of the old man; but this has no effect on our fully redemptive position in Christ, only on our growth in the strength of our faith. “Through faith,” grace came to us, and it is through the strengthening of our faith (only via the studying of Word of God by His Spirit) that we are able to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ” (2Pe 3:18).
 
Hello netchaplain;

The carnality in the babe-in-Christ remains connected in the early stages of the new believer because its our human nature to resolve our situations in the carnal and emotional.

As we mature in Christ I agree the carnality does progressively decrease as our Spirituality increases, we begin to resolve our trials by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

But wouldn't you agree that we our Spirituality can decrease and revert back to our carnality? I'm not suggesting apostacy, but our "attitude" with God?

"The Carnal Christian" gave me some personal food for thought and truth that we all struggle with this.

Your thoughts?

God bless you, brother.
 
As long as we are presently earthly bound we can never be completely free of carnality,
This I agree with. But I suggest we need to be careful not to "disown" it. By that I mean, distancing our selves from our sinful carnality. Being ashamed of it. I welcome theologians to challenge me here, as I am possibly on the wrong track. But I get a sense that when we try to deny that our sinful nature, as if it doesn't exist anymore, we invite it even more into out lives. The Christian who becomes puritanical and condemns the sin of lust for example in others may be just compensating for the lack of self-acceptance in their own carnality. They might be projecting their own shame. At the same they are suppressing feelings of self-disgust by showing that disgust in others. Hope I haven't stirred up a hornet's nest here. :)
 
This I agree with. But I suggest we need to be careful not to "disown" it. By that I mean, distancing our selves from our sinful carnality. Being ashamed of it. I welcome theologians to challenge me here, as I am possibly on the wrong track. But I get a sense that when we try to deny that our sinful nature, as if it doesn't exist anymore, we invite it even more into out lives. The Christian who becomes puritanical and condemns the sin of lust for example in others may be just compensating for the lack of self-acceptance in their own carnality. They might be projecting their own shame. At the same they are suppressing feelings of self-disgust by showing that disgust in others. Hope I haven't stirred up a hornet's nest here. :)

Hello JAS;

I agree with you that we need to be careful not to disown it. As our Spirituality increases, we are still sinners and fall short of God's glory. If we deny our sinful nature, we aren't being truthful.

1 John 1:8, 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

When we deny our sin, you are correct. That alone can fester, like a cancer and spread to cover our self denial.

Your post shared is a good point, brother. Thank you for giving us food for thought.

Hmmmmm, as far as the hornet's nest made me think. The truth can sting, amen?

God bless you and your family.
 
This I agree with. But I suggest we need to be careful not to "disown" it. By that I mean, distancing our selves from our sinful carnality. Being ashamed of it. I welcome theologians to challenge me here, as I am possibly on the wrong track. But I get a sense that when we try to deny that our sinful nature, as if it doesn't exist anymore, we invite it even more into out lives. The Christian who becomes puritanical and condemns the sin of lust for example in others may be just compensating for the lack of self-acceptance in their own carnality. They might be projecting their own shame. At the same they are suppressing feelings of self-disgust by showing that disgust in others. Hope I haven't stirred up a hornet's nest here. :)
Hi JAS, and thanks for your reply and input! There is much truth to what you've mentioned about being judgmental about others doing the wrongs we do. I believe a significant par of the Christian lifestyle is to "walk circumspectly" (Eph 5:15) mostly concerning our closest enemy--our old man (sin nature).
 
Hello netchaplain;

The carnality in the babe-in-Christ remains connected in the early stages of the new believer because its our human nature to resolve our situations in the carnal and emotional.

As we mature in Christ I agree the carnality does progressively decrease as our Spirituality increases, we begin to resolve our trials by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

But wouldn't you agree that we our Spirituality can decrease and revert back to our carnality? I'm not suggesting apostacy, but our "attitude" with God?

"The Carnal Christian" gave me some personal food for thought and truth that we all struggle with this.

Your thoughts?

God bless you, brother.
Nice instructional comments Brother Bob! Concerning our "spirituality," it shows it isn't genuine if it's not persistent because that's the only way God "works" in us!
 
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