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CARNAL OR SCARCELY SAVED?

by linzy bruno  
4/20/2024 / Bible Studies

 

What is the difference between these two types of believers?

Most importantly, this difference is a matter of being saved or merely believing it to be the case, for the carnal believer Jesus rejects in Matthew 25:1-13, and the scarcely saved believer simply needs to realize the seriousness of their condition and work with the Spirit of God to come to terms with hurt and/or dysfunctional emotions that are preventing spiritual maturity from flourishing.

The carnal Christian is the worldly Christian, which translates to not a Christian at all, for head knowledge combined with a deep and abiding commitment unto this world, does not a true believer make. The carnal are putting all of their trust in the world and world systems, rather than trusting in their Lord God. Merely knowing that God is up there in Heaven is not True Christianity. For Jesus said that if we love Him, we will pick up our cross and follow Him in Matthew 16:24. And we ought to know this, for we cannot be saved by just knowing that God is real. Even the devil knows that:

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe---and tremble!” (James 2:19)

Moreover, there is another type of believer that the Apostles warn their churches not to imitate or copy in any way, as it is an undesirable position in which to abide. Interestingly, Peter refers to the perpetually immature believer as ‘scarcely saved.’ There is only one Scripture (to my knowledge anyway) that speaks of this scarcely known condition:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as a faithful Creator.” (1Peter 4:17-19)

Peter’s words through this verse read as a warning for believers to not allow themselves to hinder their own spiritual growth, not that they aren’t saved, but in their stagnation have rendered themselves useless to the kingdom of God.

Furthermore, there are other verses that confirm this condition of spiritual stagnation in a similar tone of warning:

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those of full age, that is, those by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

“that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)

“that you should no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, but the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,” (Ephesians 4:14)

“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1Corinthians 13:11)

NOTE: These references of staying childish in the spirit clearly indicate spiritual immaturity, however, although these Apostles are warning against that for reasons that are vital to our spiritual walk, we are also to “come to Him as a little child,” this though is speaking of humility. A child doesn’t question what they are being taught, but adopt those things that are being modeled before them, and that is the context of this idea, not coming to God as in an immature state, although that is most common and not to be discouraged, there is a notable difference there, nonetheless.

Carnal verses

“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!” (Matthew 7:22-23)

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Also See: Matthew 25:1-13

 

 

NKJV

Linzy has been writing for many years; seriously since her 3 kids were still young and inspirational. She has taken 2 courses in Bible studies and completed "Four Soils" Bible study course in a 26-month period; earning her certification in Bible Counselling.

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