The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Carnal

  • Know Ye Not?

    “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain”

    1 Corinthians 9:24

    Paul had visited Corinth on two different missionary journeys, spending at least eighteen months on one visit. He also wrote two letters to the church established in Corinth that we have to read even today. In these letters, we find much that should apply to all Christians. Paul wrote one letter when he heard of problems in the church. There were divisions beginning to form that needed to be stopped. There was also sin being allowed into the church that left unchecked, would destroy the church from within. Paul understood the importance of dealing with these issues, quickly, to help the young Christians to grow in Christ as they should. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

    When Paul wrote, we find that he recognized their condition. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). Notice Paul said he could not speak unto them as spiritual, but carnal. They were still babes in Christ. Because they had not yet learned how to live a Christian life, they were still “carnal” (carnal means “weakness; frailty; of persons being worldly”). This revealed that they were living according to the world and its’ standards, not according to God’s. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3). After addressing their divisions, he reminded them that God’s Spirit lived in them. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Did you notice how that verse began? “Know ye not”. This was a big part of their problem. They had not taken the time to “know” what they needed to know in order to live as they were supposed to live. Paul mentions this several times in this letter. Take note of the following:

    • “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6).
    • “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? …” (1 Corinthians 6:2:).
    • “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? …” (1 Corinthians 6:3).
    • “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? …” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
    • “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? …” (1 Corinthians 6:15).
    • “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? …” (1 Corinthians 6:16).
    • “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

    Paul addressed many thing that they did not know. One more thing they did not know was that the Christian life is much like a race. And Paul was a great example for them to follow. “24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Paul compared this Christian life to a race that all are running. Think of a race: there is a course, a goal in sight, and a reward. The Christian life can be thought of in much the same way:

    • there is a course (a godly lifestyle one lives according to God’s Word),
    • a goal in sight (keeping eyes on Jesus, living that life so others can see and come to know Jesus),
    • and a reward (eternal life in heaven with Jesus someday where Christians will receive rewards for things done on this earth for Jesus).

    Just as runners have to train, exercise, and eat right, Christians who want to live a life pleasing to God must also train, exercise and eat right. How? Christians are given God’s Word to teach them how to live a life pleasing to God. It takes much work and exercise to strengthen spiritual muscles to put away the sins of the world and instead choose the things of God (see 1 Timothy 4:6-9). Eating right would consist of putting God’s Word into the Christian heart and mind (see Psalm 119:11) as opposed to the things of this world. This was an area that the Corinthian church needed to work on: knowing how to live the Christian life.

    There is one important difference in a physical race, and the race of the Christian life, that Paul explained to them. In a physical race, there is only one winner, but in the race of the Christian life, all will receive eternal life with Jesus – only the personal rewards will be different, according to how the race is run (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

    Do you know how to run the race that is the Christian life, understanding how to please God?

  • Live a New Life

    “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

    Romans 8:8

    All of mankind is sinful and guilty before God (see Romans 3:23). However, Jesus can take that sin away by His grace for those who have faith in Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). After this, Christians are to understand that we have been purchased (see 1 Peter 1:18-19). “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). We belong to God, and we are to live for Him. However, we still live here on earth where sin reigns. What are Christians to do?

    We are to remember that God’s Law not only reveals the knowledge of sin (see Romans 3:20), but reveals our sin to us (see Romans 7:7). By knowing what God’s Word says, we learn how God expects Christians to live. Nevertheless, it can be difficult. Paul explained this. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). Paul wrote about his struggle to do right (see Romans 7:14-24). Because the new spiritual man and the old carnal man (carnal means “under the influence of the desires of things pertaining to the flesh or body”) are of opposite natures, they fight against each other. The old nature is comfortable in its sinfulness, but the new nature of Christ within hates that sin – causing conflict. Paul understood that as long as he physically lived on this earth, although in his heart and spirit he would be obeying God’s law, in his flesh he would never be perfect. Nevertheless, Paul made a choice to follow the Spirit and obey God’s Word. Paul understood it was an issue of the heart.

    A Christian should never consider himself perfect, without sin, – only forgiven by Jesus.

    Read what happens once we submit to and obey God’s Word. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). When we decide to walk after the Spirit, it means we choose to oppose the flesh, not indulging in the affections and lusts of the physical nature, but instead determine to follow God’s Spirit. We are to live our lives to the best of our ability, walking in the spirit (see Romans 8:2-4).

    We can better understand this in the following verses. “5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8). We understand that the description “flesh” and “carnally minded” represents someone who allows sin to rule in the heart and cannot please God (“enmity against God”). On the converse, “Spirit” and “spiritually minded” represents someone who allows Jesus (who is Life) to rule in that heart. In Romans 8:9-11, we understand more about this difference, reminding us that God’s Spirit lives within us, helping us. (Especially note, “… Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” Romans 8:9b. It is important to make sure one truly belongs to Jesus. The Spirit will make that known.) With this new nature, the Spirit of God living within, Christians live differently.

    Paul encourages people who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus to understand the importance of living those lives in a pleasing manner.“1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Just as Jesus willingly died for each Christian, each Christian is then to willingly present that life to Jesus as a “living sacrifice”. What does this mean? Living sacrifice means “the physical life and existence … always with some duration as a living and constant sacrifice.” God expects His people to live a life, always, as if they belong to Him – acceptable to Him. That is the very least we can do (“reasonable service”). Paul went on to remind us that because we are now spiritual creatures, we are to not be “conformed” to this world. Conformed means “to be fashioned alike; one is not to be molded by the external and fleeting manners or ways of this period of time, but to undergo a deep inner transformation that can only be brought by the Holy Spirit.” Instead, a Christian is to be transformed. Transformed means “that invisible process that begins to take place in a Christian during their life here on earth.” How are Christians transformed? By renewing one’s mind. Renewing means “a renovation which makes a person different than in the past.” One does this by reading and living according to God’s Word. Prove means “to put to the proof or examine; the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not.” Once Christians know how to live, they are to implement those things into their lives.

    A Christian is to live a life, not like the rest of the world, but different from the world!

    Have you believed by faith, received God’s grace, and now live a transformed life, pleasing to God?

    Find out how to Receive God’s Grace.