Also See The Plight of the Carnal Christian (Below) Grab a Hose From Christ's Church to iChurch Good For Nothing Christianity The Great Gospel Deception *********** The "Carnal Christian Theory" is another of the teachings of "Easy Christianity" designed to take the pressure off the average church-goer.. The "great" thing about this teaching is that it also takes pressure off the teachers of "Easy Christianity." Time was that if "converts" went on in or went back to their ungodly lifestyles, they were labeled hypocrites or apostates. Now they are called "Carnal Christians." This looks much better for the evangelists' statistics and avoids painful evaluation of his message and methods. What is the "Carnal Christian Theory"? Let its advocated explain! "After you have invited Christ to come into your life, it is possible for you to take control of your life again. The New Testament, 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3, identifies three kinds of people... These three kinds of people are "the natural man", "the carnal man", and "the spiritual man". The carnal man is the "Christian who has invited Christ into his life," but "is not trusting God" and in rebellion against the lordship of Christ has "taken control of his life again."
This is the theory as it is taught in the notes of a popular study Bible and the tracts of a well-known evangelistic organization. Many regard themselves as Christians because of it who are nevertheless under the wrath of God. Like false prophets its teachers cry, "Peace, peace; where there is no peace" (Jeremiah. 6:14 and 8:11). Don't you be deceived by them! Examine the Scriptures. The entire New Testament testifies against this theory. Read Romans 8:1-17, Ephesians 5:3-7, Galatians 5:19-26. Galatians. 5:24 epitomizes their teaching, "Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." If your sinful nature has not been crucified by the grace of Christ, you are not a carnal Christian. You are no Christian and need to become one. The idea that a man may have Christ in his life but not on the throne of his life is the heart of the "Carnal Christian Theory." We noticed already that this dangerous doctrine is contradicted by the entire New Testament. What about 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, its supposed proof-text, does it teach this theory? The Apostle Paul was not only divinely inspired, but also perfectly sane--not given to contradicting himself in the space of a few lines. In the same letter he made perfectly clear what he would have said about this modern theory. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral not idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). All Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 is that Christians can and do sometimes in some areas of their lives act like unconverted, worldly men. "Are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? for when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos, " are you not mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3,4). It is one thing in some areas at some times to act like unconverted men, it is something else to be a carnal man as to the dominant characteristic of one's life. Of such the Bible says, "their place will be the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 21:8). May God deliver you from going to the place where all "Carnal Christians" will go! The Plight of the Carnal Christian
By www.truthablaze.com 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 essence 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 (Below), 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. May the Lord help us all to be spiritually minded and avoid the dangers of carnality! The Immoral Brother of I Corinthians chapter 5 In an earlier article (above), we dealt with the issue of the "carnal" Christian and their plight. Just as many hyper-grace OSAS theologians point to the church of Corinth as evidence that the carnally minded are on their way to a heavenly reward, they also love to use the example of the "immoral brother" in I Corinthians chapter 5. Actually scripture calls him a "wicked person" and unless he repented, he was on the outside-looking in where the kingdom of heaven is concerned. Without further discussion, let's look at this passage in detail. I Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 5:9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
First of all we are faced with the fact that there is a dirty situation going on in the midst of the church at Corinth. It is not exactly clear as to what the relationship between this man and this woman was, but we can safely assert that it wasn't his real mother. It's possible the father could have been divorced and this was his step-mother, or some other scenario. In any event, it is an act that falls under the condemnation of Almighty God! This was a cancer in the midst of the church at Corinth, and God mandated that they deal with this situation immediately. The attitude that the Corinthians displayed is not too much different than what we see in the modern church. They should have been mourning over the deeds of this man, but instead they were indifferent to the holy demands of God-the KJV actually says they were "puffed up" about the whole affair. What a sad indictment on this church and all who tolerate open sin in the church. I chose my word carefully and that's why I said "open" sin. This was something that apparently everyone in Corinth was well aware of, based on the text. When the church knows that one of it's members is bringing shame to the body of Christ, it has a responsibility to deal with the problem. Next we come to the issue of church discipline. I Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Notice that this discipline is to be done in a formal setting, with the church present. We should also note that the power of Jesus is in our midst when we gather together in His name (remember the scripture "where two or three are gathered together in my name"). I wonder if it would influence our behaviors more positively and would cut down on some of the frivolity in church if we would realize that God is there? Now notice this very important verse 5. The church is to excommunicate this guy from the assembly which puts him in the domain of satan (which is "the world"). The intent is not that this man will be destroyed spiritually, but so that he will come to his senses (like the prodigal son who "came to himself") and realize that without Christ and His church he is a miserable wretched human being on his way to hell. Now where those who teach unconditional eternal security say that this man is on his way to heaven regardless of repentance, I see something far different here. Notice it says that his spirit "may" be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. This is a conditional statement. If the man repents of his sin he is to be accepted back into the assembly and he will be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. But if this man continues on in his sin and never returns to the fold, certain judgment awaits according to the scriptures because it states that "whoremongers and adulters God will judge" (Heb 13). Some have speculated that the letter of II Corinthians speaks of this man's restoration and repentance (see II Corinthians 2:4-8). I could not state definitively, but I certainly hope that he indeed did repent and was restored to the fold. God was concerned that this "leaven" would leaven the whole lump there in Corinth. Whenever we tolerate unrighteousness and preach a cheap grace, we introduce leaven into the holy mixture. If this is not dealt with, the whole loaf of bread will be corrupted. That's why I feel it so necessary to contend against rank heresy in the church. The scriptures state that "judgement must begin at the house of God" (I Peter 4:17) and as such, the Lord expects us to judge immorality and false doctrine. I Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
In essence, Paul was saying the only way to completely get away from sin is to go on to heaven and be with the Lord. God never intended for us to retreat from society as many of the monks did in old times. He wants us to be salt and light in this dark world. That doesn't mean that we are unequally yoked with it, or compromise with the world- but we must work with sinners, and live amongst them. How else are they going to be evangelized? But-and this is a big exception- when the sinful person is a professing Christian, we are not to break bread with them at the dinner table. Instead, we are to rebuke their sinful deeds and warn them of the dangers of apostacy. The church is not responsible for judging the world- they are responsible for judging those within the church. (and by judging, I don't mean ignoring the plank in your eye, to pull out the speck in your Brother's eye- I'm speaking of open sin and false doctrine-there is a difference). (Also See Judge Not?) I Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Notice again that this individual is called a "wicked person." Does this sound like someone who is on his way to glory without repentance? I am always amazed at the lengths that some will go to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. But I guess it should not surprise me because we are at the end of the age, and the Lord warned that many false teachers would arise. Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ
Hopefully you can see from this brief study, that the immoral brother of I Corinthians is not an example of unconditional eternal security, but exactly the opposite. An example of how a church must deal with open immorality lest it become defiled, and lest the individual goes on his course of apostacy unchecked, and end up in hell. May the Lord bless you as you continue to study His Word! | 
Index To Articles On 
