The Carnal Christian- Is it Biblical?

I used to believe in the reality of a carnal Christian. I used to think that a professing Christian could speak, think, and act like the devil and still be a Christian heading toward heaven. I used to believe that a professing Christian could be living in sin, totally unconcerned about the cause of Christ in the world, and yet still be a believer in Christ. Now I realize that such thinking is dead wrong- because the Bible says it is wrong.

There is absolutely no mention of a carnal Christian anywhere in the Bible. Most people use I Cor. 3 to support their concept of a carnal Christian. However, the apostle Paul is not calling the lives of these newborn Christians carnal. He is not saying that they are living a carnal lifestyle. Paul is simply indicating that in one area of their lives, the Corinthians are acting worldly and carnal. Namely, Paul was addressing the divisions among the Corinthians and calling for them to be unified. Paul is simply addressing an area of sin, not a lifestyle of sin.

Much evidence abounds in the Bible to show that if one is truly saved, he will produce the fruits of repentance. First, Jesus said in Matthew 7:18: "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Jesus was talking about false prophets, who claimed to be Christians. He is saying that if one claims to know Christ, but does not walk in a Christlike manner, he is a liar. A person who is truly saved will bear fruit that gives evidence of his salvation.

Also, the apostle Peter exhorts believers to confirm their salvation. Peter lists several qualities in II Peter 1:1-10, and encourages believers to produce those qualities in their own lives, for these qualities will indicate salvation. In II Peter 1:10, Peter says, "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fall." Thus, Peter is saying, in effect, that if one does not produce these godly qualities in his life, he cannot be sure of his salvation.

Finally, the apostle John wrote the book of I John to provide believers with assurance of their salvation- if they passed the test (I John 5:13). John gave the believers several tests by which they could measure themselves to see if they possessed salvation. For example, John states, "Anyone who claims to be in the light, yet hates his brother is still in the darkness (I John 1:9)." Thus, John is saying that if one truly has Christ living in him, he will love his brother. John also says, "We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin (I John 5:18)." In this passage, John is not saying that the genuine Christian will never sin. That would contradict his earlier statements (I John 1:10). John is simply stating that the true believer will not continue to love his sin. He will fall into sin- but he will not swim in it. The true Christian is not perfect, but he strives toward perfection.

So, what can we conclude from these studies regarding the carnal Christian? There is none. One is either saved and bearing the fruits of salvation or he is not saved. There are hordes of professing Christians who claim to be in Christ, but show no evidence of Christ living in them. Also, there are numerous 'Christians' who are good people but seem apathetic toward the things of God. Would I say that these people are heading toward hell? I do not know. However, I would encourage fruitless Christians to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith, as Paul exhorted the Corinthians to do in II Corinthians 13:5. So, think about this: The problem with a lot of apathetic, fruitless 'Christians' might not merely be one of spiritual laziness. It might be a salvation problem. They might have had a false conversion experience, where they said a prayer but never truly repented. I am sure there are many false converts existing today among us, and we must encourage them to examine themselves. If you are unsure of your own salvation, just test yourself against the Biblical evidence for salvation. If your life is not showing the Biblical evidence of salvation, then repent and trust Christ, and you will be saved.