Romans 8:1-9



What Exactly IS a “CARNAL” Christian?

Today’s Definition: “Well sure, I pray and go to church sometimes; I’m a good person, but not exactly a saint. I just hope God grades on the curve!”

Bible’s Definition:

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (The only example of a believer being called “carnal” in the Bible is found in this verse-KJV.)

[Context of the problem: There were divisions among them, because they were boasting in “man”)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh [“carnal”-KJV], as to babes in Christ.2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,3 for you are still fleshly [“carnal”-KJV],. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

1 Peter 2:1-3

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

“But look at the example of Lot in the Bible: he wasn’t sold out to God; he compromised with the world and God saved him!”

Does Lot really fit the Bible’s definition of a “CARNAL” believer ?(compare verses)

(Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who lived in the wicked city of Sodom, was hated by the men of the city and his family did not trust God…BUT he was rescued by the LORD’s angels before the city was destroyed - Genesis 19)

2 Peter 2:7-8

He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds),

Do we DANGEROUSLY confuse a “Carnal” Christian with…

One who “WALKS (habitually) ACCORDING TO THE FLESH”?

(And does not belong to Christ)

Romans 8:1-9

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

|NOT In Christ Jesus vs. |IN Christ Jesus |

| |Free from the law of sin and of death |

| |Law fulfilled in us |

|Walk according to the FLESH |Walk according to the SPIRIT |

|Set mind on the flesh= Death |Set mind on the Spirit= Life & Peace |

|Hostile toward God | |

|It does not subject itself to the Law of God | |

|Not able to subject itself to the law of God | |

|Cannot please God | |

|Does not have the Spirit of Christ |Spirit of God dwells in you |

|Does not belong to Him | |

A “SO-CALLED BROTHER” ?

(is still a sinner, NOT a saint, and will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God…See Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-12)

1 Corinthians 5:11

But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother…if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but by their deeds, they deny Him, being detestable, disobedient, worthless for any good deed.

James 5:19-20

My brethren, if any among you [who attend the church] strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

One Who “LOVES (habitually) THE WORLD”?

(Who does not have the love of the Father in him: an unbeliever who is blinded and is perishing and will NOT abide forever with the Lord when the world passes away)

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

A LIAR?

(Who, along with the unbelieving, will be cast into the lake of fire… See Rev 21:8)

1 John 2:3-6

And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Don’t be Confused or Deceived by a “False Assurance” of Heaven.

There are only 2 possible worlds in which a person can reside!

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1. LIVING APART from Christ’s Rule

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to Me [Jesus], ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

James 2:19-20

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder [because they neither surrender to Him, nor obey Him]. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

John 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

2. SUBMITTED to Christ’s Rule

John 3:3,5

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God….”5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:17

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Romans 10:9,11

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord [the Master and Ruler of your life], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved… For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

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