The scriptures are addressed to those who belong to Christ and those who do not belong to Christ. There are those who have the Spirit of God and those who do not. But is there a third category? Many, especially in some circles of American evangelism, would assert the existence of a third category, generally known as “carnal Christian. ” or “nominal Christian”. This third category is described as those who profess to know and follow Christ, but whose lives do not reflect this profession. They claim to follow Christ long enough to escape hell, but not enough for Christ to influence any aspect of their life. Do some feel that God is obligated to present a “card from hell”? as a result of a decision made long ago that involved saying a prayer or walking down a hall. The most common text of evidence for this position is found in 1 Corinthians 3: 1-4 and in how Paul addresses the Christians in the Corinthian church. The reason many think that Paul is addressing carnal Christians in this passage is because of the way he refers to them (3. 1). He had just explained that only the spiritual man knows Christ and has the mind of Christ (2:16), not the natural man. Now you address them like? Brothers (3. 1) and writes: “Could I not speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, as children in Christ? (3. 1). Paul is not writing to the Corinthian church saying that there is an intermediate category of Christians, but he is writing this way to address the obvious sin in their midst that forces Paul to treat them as immature in their faith. Go back and read that the first thing Paul wrote to you in 1 Corinthians 1: 4-6 was that God’s grace was given to them in Christ (1. 4), that they were enriched in him (1. 5) and that Christ’s testimony was confirmed in them (1. 6). Paul in no way admits a category of carnal Christians, but simply addresses the Corinthian Christians who have not matured in their faith as they should. Paul suggests that the lack of seeking maturity is one of the reasons there was division between them (1:10). Did they remain “children in Christ”? (3. 1).
Pastors, how do we treat these people in our churches?Those who profess Christ, but whose lives do not reflect that?
- Simply because there are those who have the characteristics of a “carnal Christian”.
- In our churches.
- This does not confirm a legitimate biblical category of Christian.
- This person is simply deceived and needs Christ.
- There is no salvation without the cost involved (total submission to Christ).
We are not God, so we must be careful here, but we can look at someone’s life and determine if there is evidence of grace in their lives as they struggle and struggle with immature faith, or if there is no evidence of grace in them. in addition to his profession.
From what has been said in point 2, we must involve other mature and pious leaders of our church in our assessment of these people. It will also prevent a pastor from quickly completing someone’s un regenerated state due to any personal harm that person may have done. to the pastor.
The best long-term solution to treat carnal Christians?It is to make sure to keep the front door closer in the future. Have an intentional process to receive members and do everything possible to learn more about their lives, faith, and conversion. and why they want to join their church. It’s not a quick fix, but a patient and wise long-term decision is rarely made.
One of the greatest joys I have experienced is caring for converted church members. It may seem strange to say, but don’t assume that when you run a church, all members become. Preach the gospel to all present. This will encourage faithful saints, awaken the lost, and hopefully affect those who may have been living in lies for years and who really want to seize Christ. One of the best teaching moments in nearly 10 years in our church, for me, was to baptize some members as true believers in Christ who thought they belonged to Christ but were not. Is the gospel powerful enough to convert the lost, strengthen the discouraged saint, and even powerful enough to awaken carnal Christians?So that they may swallow their pride and finally sincerely admit the lie they lived and turn to Christ.