Which Category do you belong to?
The issue of whether we are genuine Christians extends beyond merely associating with a religious label; it should demonstrate how the Holy Spirit's fruit progressively fills our lives, while past sins gradually lose their hold on us.
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Imagine having a six-month-old baby who is unable to talk or walk. It is quite common for children of this age not to have these abilities yet. However, if your child reaches the age of two and still cannot speak or walk, wouldn't this be a cause for concern?
It’s the same with someone who is a carnal Christian. They remains stagnant in their spiritual growth, lacking evidence of God's power in their life. Moreover, they are susceptible to deception and hold minimal influence.
Not all Christians experience God's power or the power of the Holy Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit dwells within all Christians, not everyone is fully filled, guided, and empowered by Him.
The Bible distinguishes between three types of individuals: the natural, the spiritual, and the carnal.
A natural person is someone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, or is considered unsaved.
A carnal person, conversely, is someone who has embraced Jesus Christ as Lord yet exhibits spiritual immaturity or a tendency towards a fleshly nature.
Finally, a spiritual individual is someone who has embraced Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, demonstrates evident transformation and spiritual growth, and impacts those they meet through their way of life.
But, let's narrow our attention to just two carnal and spiritual.
Carnal Christian
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 and Galatians 5:19 explain that a carnal Christian is someone who exhibits the following traits:
Jealously
This can result in possessive behaviors that strain relationships and foster an environment of distrust and insecurity.
Quarrelsome and easily upset
Those characterized by this trait tend to engage in frequent disputes and conflicts, often over trivial matters.
Easily frustrated and irritated
An individual exhibiting this trait may find themselves overwhelmed by minor inconveniences or obstacles, leading to a quick temper and a short fuse.
Selfish, self-seeking, and self-serving
Such traits indicate a strong focus on one's own needs and desires, often at the expense of other
Unforgiving and stubborn
People who embody this trait often hold grudges and refuse to let go of past grievances. Their unwillingness to forgive can create a heavy emotional burden, both for themselves and for those they interact with. Coupled with stubbornness, this trait can lead to rigid thinking and an inability to adapt or compromise in various situations.
Offensive and unrepentant
Individuals with this characteristic often engage in behavior that is hurtful or disrespectful to others, showing little regard for the impact of their words or actions.
Fleshly or earthy
This trait refers to a focus on gratifying thier physical desires and materialistic pursuits, often overshadowing spiritual growth.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
It's possible that the passion you once had after being saved has diminished. You might have lost interest or become stagnant.
Do you prioritize reading your Bible? Are your prayers impactful or merely a habit? Is your faith producing extraordinary outcomes?
A person who thinks in a carnal way is considered an adversary of God (Romans 8:7). Carnality leads you astray from God and entices you towards sin, especially when you lack knowledge of the teachings of the Bible. When your mindset is carnal, you lack love for God and for others (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37-40; 1 John 4:19-21; Ephesians 4:32).
Having a carnal mindset demonstrates to non-believers that being a Christian is no different from other beliefs. They see Christ as unremarkable and just another religious figure.
Instead of conforming to the ways of the world, we are encouraged to renew our minds and be transformed, so that through testing we can understand the will of God—what is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:2; Proverbs 1:15; Philippians 2:15).
Spiritual Christian
A committed, genuine Christian has an impact on others, setting them apart from those who are more focused on worldly matters. Many individuals go through their entire Christian journey without influencing those around them. In contrast, true Christians lead lives that bring glory to God through their actions. They demonstrate the fruits of the spirit in their behavior and strive for a life of high moral standards and live a life of excellence.
They exhibit strength, fearlessness, boldness, and function within the realm of the Gifts of the Spirit. Their life serves as a model, and they encounter God's favor wherever they go.
Why is this important?
Because people and their salvation are important to God. As Christians, we should strive to be Christians who spread the faith primarily through our lifestyle. There is nothing more fulfilling than leading someone to experience God's love and truth.
Our purpose on earth goes beyond pursuing a successful career, a beautiful home, recognition, impressing others, and focusing solely on ourselves.
Developing spiritually is crucial for us to grow into genuine or mature Christians and to serve as God’s representatives on earth (Acts 1:8). Our goal is to imitate Christ and serve as His ambassadors, show and accurately reflecting God's glory to encourage others to turn to Him (Acts 1:8).
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you must do is receive salvation, simply choosing to repent of your sins and welcome Jesus into your life by confessing Him as Lord. In Romans 10:9 Paul said, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe in my heart that you died and were risen for my sins. I ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior—in Jesus' name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
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