 The Atonement
Virtually all Christians trust that Christ's death on the cross completely and finally atoned for our sins. However. the New Testament sometimes says that salvation is an accomplished reality but at other times says it is still in the future. This seeming contradiction is not limited to salvation alone but also occurs with confusing regularity in statements about other topics of crucial importance... justification, redemption, glorification, and adoption. Check it for yourself. So what is the answer? Can we be assured we have salvation now, or is it something we have to strive and hope for. Have we already been adopted as sons, or are we eagerly waiting for this adoption? Are we righteous now, or is it yet a distant hope? For those who are actually interested in what the Scriptures have to say on the subject, as opposed to what parents, pastors, friends, or denomination may believe and teach, the answer to all of the above questions is .. BOTH. However, in order to understand when we are fully and finally saved we have to undertake an in-depth study of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur and how it relates to our salvation. See See https://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_corinthians/1-18.htm)
ON THIS PAGE
What is a 'Carnal Christian'?
The Misuse of I Corinthians 3: 1-4 The Problems In The Corinthian Church It is Impossible To Be Saved Without Righteous Living Jesus' Message of The Kingdom Salvation is Based on Faith and Holiness Perseverance To The End
What is a 'Carnal Christian'? - The Misuse of I Corinthians 3: 1-4
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 has been known to be used to support the belief that there are two categories of Christians - the 'spiritual' believer who is led and guided by the Holy Spirit and the 'carnal' believer who is supposedly saved and has Christ in his or her life but shows no external evidence of being a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Or to put it another way - they think they have their cake and eat it too.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 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, for you are still fleshly (carnal). For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly (carnal), and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NASB). All Emphasis Added . Note: The word 'carnal' relates to the physical -being worldly or earthly. It was translated from the Greek sarkikos (pertaining to the flesh) which is why the NASB renders it as 'fleshly'.
The confusion arises because Paul called the Corinthians carnal yet addressed them as brethren (brother) and spoke to them of the resurrection and spiritual gifts etc. Those who think being a carnal Christian is good enough imagine that although they may lose a reward or two in the coming kingdom they will at least scrape through the Pearly Gates by the skin of their teeth. They are as secure as the Spiritual Christian as far as achieving the 'end goal' is concerned. See The Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ and Rewards in Heaven The flaw in their reasoning is that they have not paid close enough attention to the fact that the Scriptures repeatedly emphasize that a lack of holiness is an insurmountable barrier to a relationship with God and that it is impossible to be saved without righteous living. For example is Hebrews 12:14 that tells us "Without Holiness, No Man Shall See God!" See What is Holiness ? www.inplainsite.org/html/holiness_and_overcoming_sin.html So the question has to be asked what exactly Paul meant when he used the term Carnal Christian. In order to do so we need to look closely at...
The Problems In The Corinthian Church
1 Corinthians was not primarily a doctrinal epistle but was written to deal with practical problems the young church was experiencing. Here are some of what the apostle had to tackle.
1.) In verse 4 Paul referred to the fact that the Corinthian Christians were dividing themselves into camps depending on which of the apostles they first heard the Gospel from reminding them that the apostles were no more than servants through whom they believed fofor you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. (1 Corinthians 3:3-5 NASB)
2.) Paul also reprimanded them for not doing something about the person who was having on-going relationship with his father's wife (5:1) and reminded them that he had previously warned them "... not to associate with any so-called brother if he is 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". (5. 1-12. Emphasis Added)
3.) The Corinthians also tended to want to outdo each other when it came to spiritual gifts, did not treat the Lord's supper with the respect it commands and were going to court in legal matters against each other. 4.) Chapter 6 opens with Paul denouncing the fact that if one of them had a case against his neighbor, they dared to go to law before the unrighteous rather than other believers. 5.) The fact that this was a very class conscious society is demonstrated by their behavior when they got together to celebrate the Lord's Supper (Ch.11). Some of them would take their supper early leaving others hungry and apparently it was not unknown for believers to show up intoxicated. Their selfish conduct at the common meal was a disgracing their observance of the Lord's Supper. Paul told them that they were despising the church and shaming those who had nothing. If they wanted to eat or drink selfishly they were to do in their own homes. (1 Corinthians 11:22)
Certainly these Christians were far from perfect (as indeed are all Christians). In summary, they were not behaving like spiritual followers of Christ but were demonstrating worldly immature behavior. Paul rebuked them for acting selfishly in some instances, and like children in others. It is no wonder he called them "infants in Christ" - they had a lot of growing up or maturing to do. This is very different from saying that the Apostle recognized the existence of a distinct group of Christians who could be called 'carnal'. All Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 is that in some areas of their lives Christians can and do sometimes behave carnally. On the other hand, we also have to remember is that although they fell short in many ways the Corinthian church had some very strong points. Not only were they enriched in all speech and all knowledge in Him, were not lacking in any gift, but they also eagerly awaited Jesus' coming (How much of the modern church does that?)
The Difference Between Carnality and Sinfulness
In the sixth chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul wrote (Emphasis Added)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NASB)
There are two points to be noted in the above verses. 1) The sins listed are not merely examples of immaturity and/or carnality but, if not repented of and forsaken, would exclude a person from the kingdom altogether. Note that Paul began this passage on the unrighteous by saying "know ye not?" - Both they and we should already have a firm grasp on what he was saying. 2) Paul used the past tense when he said "such were some of you". Obviously some of the Corinthians had been guilty of the sins mentioned, but had since become Christians... washed, sanctified, and justified.
The carnality of the Corinthians had nothing to do with the listed sins. They were being warned because backsliding is a process that can begin with childish carnal behavior that can be a very slippery slope ultimately resulting in the death penalty But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:14-15 NASB)
Lest anyone should think that being carnal is a place of safety I would like to point out that Romans 8:6 says For the mind set on the flesh (KJV - to be carnally minded) is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (NASB) Emphasis Added)
It is Impossible To Be Saved Without Righteous Living
Anyone who believes that they can be a carnal Christian hasn't understood the first thing about the Gospel, salvation, or the kingdom Jesus came to proclaim. In fact they seem to have missed the message of the Bible altogether.
The Wrath of God
When we speak of being saved, we need to think about the fact that being saved means being saved from something. According the Bible that 'something' is the Father Himself. Today's bumper sticker theology that says, "Smile, God Loves You!" is but one more of today's popular 'feel good' messages - the main problem being that it is is completely misleading. People, both in the church and without, delude themselves that they are "not that bad" and that benevolent grandfather in the sky will overlook their 'small' mistakes because He loves them. Confusing His patience with His tolerance we fondly imagine He is okay with the way we live our lives. Nothing, but nothing, could be further from the truth. John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest man who ever lived (Matt. 11:11), never mentioned Gods' love when he preached the gospel (see Matt. 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18). He sounded much like Jonathan Edwards, warning his audiences of God's coming wrath. There is not a single case in the book of Acts where anyone preaching the gospel told an unsaved audience that God loved them. Rather, the Biblical preachers warned their audiences that God did not approve of them, that they were in danger, and that they needed to make dramatic changes in their lives" [01].
In both Old and New Testaments, the Bible labors the point that God is good to those who trust, follow, and obey Him and is terrible to those who do not. Both Testaments emphasize the reality and terror of God's wrath. Yet, in line with the modern philosophy of not offending anyone, today's largely sickly sweet, sentimental, and completely ineffective Christianity babbles on and on about the goodness and love of God, but almost totally ignores His wrath and judgment. See The Wrath of God
Unfortunately the English words "anger" or "wrath" can imply very negative emotions. So is God an endlessly angry Being that constantly flies off the handle and is constantly having to be appeased and mollified. It is therefore no surprise that Paul did not beat about the bush when it came to the price we will pay for our sins For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NASB)
In other words, our sins that have separated us from God merit the death penalty. However, as Peter once wrote, the Lord is patient towards us "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 NASB) which is why He sent His Son to offer us salvation this by shedding His blood in place of ours. If we had never sinned we would not have needed a redeemer because there would be no danger of being permanently condemned to death.
Jesus' Message of The Kingdom
The Gospel of Mark summarizes Jesus' ministry, Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15 NASB)
And this wasn't the only time the Savior spoke about the kingdom of God. The Greek phrase "kingdom of God" (Basileia tou Theou) appears over 50 times in the New Testament gospels, almost always on the lips of Jesus. Although he did use "the kingdom of God" on four occasions (12:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43), Matthew favored the synonymous phrase kingdom of heaven (Basileia ton Ourano) that appears over 30 times in his Gospel. Additionally, many of the Savior's parables were designed to tell us something about this kingdom: Jesus likened it to a mustard seed, a treasure hidden in a field, an extremely valuable pearl, a dragnet cast into the sea, and a king who gave a banquet (Matthew 13:31-50; 22). In other words, Jesus came to earth to proclaim God's coming kingdom adding that this was the reason He was sent to earth "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43 NASB)
See What Was the Core of Jesus' Message? And What And Where is Heaven? The one stumbling block that will keep you, me, and everyone else out of the kingdom is sin - simply defined as a transgression of God's law. Isaiah expressly said that sin is the root cause of our separation from God.. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2 NASB)
Think about it for just a moment - If the Father allowed unrepentant sinners into His perfect kingdom how long would it be before it became as violent, sinful and corrupt as it is now. Thus it is ludicrous to believe that an individual is will be saved from God's judgment of his sins when that person has no desire to turn from them. As Romans 8:6 says For the mind set on the flesh (KJV - to be carnally minded) is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (NASB) Emphasis Added)
See Sin
Anyone who does not view sin as God views it is making a gargantuan mistake. Most people consider themselves 'good people' by the generally accepted ideas as to what constitutes respectable behavior. However, although their lives and conduct may meet the world's approval it may fall very short when it comes to the benchmark set by the Bible. John 1:9 does say If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
However, the confessing of sins can be a ritual that has very little meaning with no change in the person concerned. See Repentance - The Missing Message.
Salvation is Based on Both Faith and Holiness
Salvation involves more than simply affirming in one's mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Today's 'easy Christianity' would have us believe a person is saved based solely on the fact that he has made a 'decision', walked an aisle, made a profession of faith, or asked Jesus to come into his heart. See Why NOT To Ask Jesus Into Your Heart And The Myth We Are Saved By Faith Alone Over and over again, the Bible divides men into two groups... the saved and the lost, the believer and the unbeliever, the sheep and the goats, the children of darkness and the children of light, etc. It is black and white without even a suggestion of people having all the characteristics of people in the first group and all the benefits and blessings of those in the second. "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33 NASB) No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:6-10 NASB)
In 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 Paul spoke of two divisions of people - the 'natural' and the 'spiritual'... But a natural (Gk. psuchikos) man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:14-15 NASB)
Note: psuchikos refers to a sensual person ruled by the physical (or the five senses), rather than by the spiritual which is usually unseen and experienced only by faith. In other words, if your sinful nature has not been changed by the grace of Christ you are not a carnal Christian - you are no Christian and need to become one. The fact that the Father will not have unrepentant sinners in His kingdom means that Biblical salvation takes genuine repentance, which the Bible presents as being connected to salvation. Although repentance is not something we do to earn salvation, without repentance there is no salvation. See Repentance.. the Missing Message and Salvation However, none of this implies that Christians do not ever sin. As long as we are in our present bodies we will continuously have to do battle with temptation. Galatians 5:17 describes it perfectly 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.
The growth in Holiness is far from a smooth and easy ride. There are obstacles to be overcome and mountains to be scaled. However, through it all, a truly saved Christian will not deliberately and habitually sin. See See Holiness
There is little or no emphasis on holiness in the modern church buried as it is below flamboyant mega star preachers, worship teams that could find work in many Broadway productions, large "crusades", exciting "revivals" - Glitz and glamour that Hollywood could be proud of. Yet the Bible clearly states that "without holiness, no man shall see God!" (Hebrews 12:14) which means it behooves us to know exactly how the Scriptures define holiness.
Perseverance To The End
Over and over again, the Scripture warn that salvation is not a done deal and that perseverance in righteous living is necessary. We are doing people a grave disservice if we promise or give them the impression that the ride to eternity will be safe and uneventful. It will not not. Fortitude, strength, and endurance will all be necessary. Jesus Himself said... (All Emphasis Added)
"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (Matthew 10:22 NASB) "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (Matthew 24:12-13 NASB) 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26 NASB)
This was echoed by the early apostles yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach — if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (Colossians 1:22-23 NASB. Emphasis Added) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NASB. Emphasis Added )
And, as Jesus made very clear, falling away is worse than never having been a Christian at all. Immediately after the parables of the man building the tower and the king going to war Jesus went on to tell us that a believer who loses his or her saltiness cannot be made salty again but is fit only to be thrown out. Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? "It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14:34-35 NASB)
The book of Hebrews was nothing if not even more blunt. For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB)
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27 NASB) Also See Calvinism and Perseverance of The Saints
Perseverance, represented by the fifth and last letter of the acronym TULIP (each letter stands for one of the five fundamental tenets of Calvinism) is the belief that everyone truly regenerated by God's grace will never fall away and perish. Although it is similar to the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved (both have security in salvation in common) they take dissimilar paths to get there. Both are equally wrong. For more information see The Two Phase Atonement
The New Testament sometimes says that salvation is an accomplished reality but at other times says it is still in the future. This seeming contradiction is not limited to salvation alone but also occurs with confusing regularity in statements about other topics of crucial importance... justification, redemption, glorification, and adoption. Check it for yourself. So what is the answer? Can we be assured we have salvation now, or is it something we have to strive and hope for. Have we already been adopted as sons, or are we eagerly waiting for this adoption? Are we righteous now, or is it yet a distant hope? For those who are actually interested in what the Scriptures have to say on the subject, as opposed to what parents, pastors, friends, or denomination may believe and teach, the answer to all of the above questions is .. BOTH. However, in order to understand when we are fully and finally saved we have to undertake an in-depth study of the Old Testament ritual of Yom Kippur and how it relates to our salvation
End Notes
[01] God's Love/Hate Relationship with the World. © Shepherd Serve 2013 – The Teaching Ministry of David Servant.
http://www.heavensfamily.org/ss/e_teachings/2005_07
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