DEAR BROTHERS… BABIES IN CHRIST

Let’s read what the apostle Paul had to say to carnal church members in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV),

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul’, and another, ‘I am of Apollos’, are you not carnal?”

Can you see here that the criteria for the designation into this group is the personal relationship with the Holy Ghost? In these few verses the apostle Paul mentions four times that they are carnal. What does carnal mean? It means, this person lives from the power of the flesh, that is the normal strength and abilities a person has. Furthermore, it means that he isn’t filled with the Holy Ghost or isn’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Ghost.

Some people think this group only consists of people, who live in blatant sin. But that is only one of the many shades within this group. I want to stress again that there are a lot of differences within each of these groups.

Paul addressed the carnal people as “dear brothers”. This shows that he was dealing with church members. Paul couldn’t speak to them “as to spiritual people”. They weren’t filled with the Holy Ghost or weren’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Ghost. He had to speak to them “as babes in Christ”. This shows that they haven’t grown in faith as they should have.

A person can have great biblical knowledge and still not grow spiritually.

Spiritual growth has to do with our complete dedication to Jesus and a constant life in the Holy Spirit.

Many carnal Christians feel dissatisfaction, disappointment, purposelessness or are under constant effort in their spiritual life.

THE OTHER “BABIES”

Other carnal church members have gotten used to this condition or are satis- fied with this condition. They might say, “We are just sinners! We can’t do any- thing about it!”

Again other carnal Christians might be enthusiastic. They are glad that they know Biblical truth. Carnal church members can be very active and even have leading positions in the local church or even in the church administration. They may even do a lot for God. Check what Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV),

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

WHERE IS THE REAL PROBLEM?

Jesus said that He didn’t know them. They didn’t have a real relationship with Christ, but rather only a “fake” relationship. Two options here, [1] there hadn’t been a real commitment or [2] it hadn’t been maintained. Jesus didn’t live in their hearts through the Holy Ghost. Thus they had no personal relationship with Christ. “So there may be an apparent connection with Christ...” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.676)

When isn’t Christ in us? Before reading this quote, understand that we can all be free from the following things if we live a life with the Holy Ghost imprinting the character of Christ in us,

“A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them.” E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.357

This can change by the grace of God. God’s Word says,

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 NKJV

CHANGING THE CARNAL PERSON

Consider the following four important quotes about changing the carnal person.

[1] WORK OF GOD

“God desires to heal us, to set us free [from the tyranny of our ego and the bondage of sin]. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him.” E.G. White, Steps to Christ, p.43

[2] GOD INVITES US TO FREEDOM

“He [God] invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” E.G. White, Steps to Christ, p.43

[3] THERE IS NO PARTIAL SURRENDER

“There is no such thing as a partial surrender. It’s no more possible to be partially surrendered than it is possible to be a little bit pregnant. Either you are or you aren’t. There is no middle ground.” Morris Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith, p.63

[4] IT’S A DAILY MATTER

“Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God.” E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p.523

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & DEVOTION

1. How is it possible for a person to have biblical knowledge and still be a carnal person?

2. How can the spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ?

3. In reading the list of the things contrary to the spirit of Christ, did you find yourself there?

4. From the four quotes about changing the carnal person, which one did get your attention the most? Why?

5. What would be your advice to a carnal person?