Do Not Remain Carnal

Do Not Remain Carnal

Everyone is and is bound to be carnal in the beginning, just as no one can be born as an adult but must necessarily be a child first. It is just as certain that it is not the intention for us to remain being children and carnal, but that we shall mature and become spiritual adults.

By God’s grace the Corinthians were enriched in all things: in all doctrine and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them, so that they came short in no gift; nevertheless, they were carnal! That was evident by their works, for there was division, envy, and strife among them. Some of them liked one brother, others liked another. There was backbiting and conceit, but not one wise man among them, not a single one who could bring them salvation and healing!

Being richly blessed by God with anointing and all kinds of gifts is therefore not the same as being spiritual, which is also quite reasonable, for all these blessings of grace are not the goal, but rather a means to the goal—partaking of as much divine nature as possible!

Being carnal is the same as conducting myself as a mere man, according to man’s way of thinking. Being spiritual is to conduct myself in a godly manner, according to the laws of God’s nature. Those who have, up to a certain point, partaken of these laws can be said to be spiritual.

I would therefore like to say this to everyone who has been born again by God’s incorruptible seed, to everyone who hates his own life and loves that which is godly: Pursue spiritual nourishment, that which is pure and good and true, and the words of faith and the good doctrine so that you through them can grow to become spiritual—to maturity! Carnality is like an uncultivated field on which all kinds of poisonous and wild plants can grow, leading to the death and ruination of some or even many.

Put off all remnants of wickedness! Avoid every little bit of it like the fire of hell! Do not harbor any of it! Don’t take it easy, for evil shall not have any part in us. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Wickedness has to be removed as quickly as possible. We must also grow as quickly as possible in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and become like Him so that carnality can vanish!

We are called to labor in our heavenly calling on earth, not to enjoy ourselves—to work out our own and others’ salvation.

It is fairly obvious that most people are content to have all kinds of ideas and opinions in their inner man. But that will not go well. God’s eternal, good laws must enter in, and all the rest must go out—to death and ruination.

Suspicion, envy, jealousy, backbiting, guile, anger, and all judgment according to the flesh must go out. These things must cease—by faith in the death of Christ and in His life!

Call on God and believe Him! Confide in the servants of the church so they can have an opportunity to bear as many burdens as possible for the salvation of all of us! Reveal the thoughts of your heart and drag them out into the light! Evil has no power in the light! However, if it is allowed to rest in the recesses of your heart, it can be the cause of your death.

It is dangerous to be on a peaceful footing with evil! Even a truce is dangerous! We can have no rest until there is an end of suspicion and blaming your neighbor!

If any one of those who are considered to be overseers, shepherds, or spiritual don’t bother to bear burdens, they must be hirelings or carnal people.

Do not fall asleep thinking you are on the right way; on the contrary, be zealous for the good, making sure that there always can and will be an end of wickedness forever!