I’m sure you have experienced something similar to this in your own church setting at one time or another: The preacher/pastor is sharing a personal story about something that they had experienced, even recently perhaps, where they ‘showed out in the flesh’. They will readily admit, with a sheepish smile, it was not one of their finer moments, especially as a Christian, let alone being a preacher.

And how did you and the rest of the congregation respond to that story? I’m pretty sure a hearty laugh was heard throughout the auditorium. I would also bet the laughter was more of a 'release of relief’ as well. Why do I say that? Because we all easily identify with the man who is supposed to be ‘showing us the way’ in how we are to live as believers and followers of Jesus. We are all painfully aware of our own shortcomings and how often we ‘fail the Lord’ when we too, ‘show out in the flesh’. So when we hear the ‘preacher’ does the same thing, even regularly by his own admission, we immediately feel that  release as we tell ourselves – “See, even our preacher messes up like us regularly”. It’s almost like being given a ‘free pass’ and we feel less shamed by our own shortcomings ( a more gentler word for ‘sin’).

I remember years ago listening to a pastor I knew well on the radio tell about showing up with a friend to play racquetball at a local club, only to find out the new employee had apparently made a mistake and failed to reserve the court for him at the time he requested. And I will never forget his comment upon this frustrating discovery when he said:

“Well I knew this employee was one person I would probably never win to Jesus”, while laughing…as if to justify with a wink that he ‘showed out’ in an un-Christ like way in voicing his displeasure over the error.

Yet...for some reason, (which I understand perfectly well) - that in the same way ‘misery loves company’, we too, like to be able to ‘identify’ with other ‘imperfect people’. It’s more of a validation when we can all relate to one another given we ‘all are sinners’ just ‘trying to do better.

Imagine this unlikely scenario if you would. Back when Jesus was traveling from town to village preaching His gospel to the people of that day,  - one night He is sitting around a campfire with His disciples. Maybe He wants to address an incident where a couple of them had argued with one another and things grew contentious, debating who was more loved by Jesus and wanted a seat next to Him on His throne someday. (Mark 10:35-41) So Jesus begins to share a story like this:

 “Yeah, I remember one time back in my early 20’s I was working out in my carpenter shop and it was such an ‘effin’ hot day and things were not going smoothly. I was running short of materials which ‘pi**ed’ Me off. Then I hit my finger with that stupid hammer and threw it across the shop shattering a water pitcher I had brought out with me to drink from. That only irritated Me more and as I turned to clean up that mess, the strap on My sandal broke which left me walking around the shop with a bare foot. Needing a drink to cool off, I made my way out to get some water from a well and then I encountered the final straw that sent me over the edge. There had been a couple of stray dogs in the area getting into things and ‘cra**ing’ all over the place and spreading garbage around. I never even saw it until it was too late and my bare foot was planted firmly in a fresh pile of dog ‘s**t’. I could feel it oozing between my toes. I know it was not one of my finer moments but when one of those dogs come around a building, I yelled and called lighting out of heaven and fried that dog’s ‘a**’.

Then, Jesus looks into His disciples eyes and says sheepishly, “Yeah...My Father was not real pleased with me that day.” ( I have good reason for walking a 'thin line' there presenting such an unlikely scenario)

Many though would oddly enough, love to hear that story told in such a manner. We’d appreciate the ‘salty’ language that Jesus used to help ‘identify’ with those imperfect humans He was leading. It would make Jesus more ‘relatable’ given the fact that while He was ‘still God’, He was also man as well.

Much is discussed these days how the ‘church’ has sought to make the gospel more ‘relatable’ and palatable to a world walking in darkness and desperately needing Jesus. We offer up ‘seeker friendly services as we tailor our messages and music to ‘appeal’ to ‘lost folks’. We want to dress and sound like the world as a way of suggesting that ‘Hey......we are just like you and we love Jesus...come hear what our message is all about.”

In many ways, being a ‘carnal Christian’ has become the accepted ‘norm’ and we are just fine with that. The problem is, God is Not...’fine with that’. The term itself ‘carnal Christian’ is actually an ‘oxymoron’. (See the image I posted today for a definition of that word if needed)

Carnal Christian. What...on earth does that even mean? Oh, you want to use 1 Cor. 3:1-4 to easily explain and excuse all those who claim to be a follower of Jesus yet remain ‘carnal’, do you? Well, maybe we should dive in and explore what scripture really has to say about this phenomena and term which gets tossed around frequently and is indeed, an oxymoron.

Paul was writing to the church there at Corinth. He expresses dismay and disappointment in the fact that while he wants to address some ‘meatier issues’ and truths that will benefit them all, he is unable to do so. Why? Well, for the same reason that a parent does not cut up steak and try to feed it to a 6-month old baby. They are not ready to consume and digest it; because they are babies. That is what Paul called them there...’babes in Christ’. It was not a compliment nor was he ‘cooing’ over them as if their conduct was ‘cute’.

Notice his point of contention there in vs. 3: “you are still carnal”. “Still”, in the sense that he was expecting more growth in them by now. Yet, they remained ‘carnal/worldly/fleshly minded’. Paul even list a few quick examples as evidence pointing out how there was ‘envy, strife and divisions’ among them as they ‘behaved like mere, unregenerate men’.

Oddly enough, whenever the discussion comes up regarding believers who continue to sin and remain ‘carnal’, we always want to point to this passage and immediately assure everyone listening, that these babes in Christ were still ‘saved’. Why is that always the most important point we want to rush and camp around...this idea of needing to reassure folks that all is well with their soul and they need not worry. Especially in light of what Romans 8:13 tells us...those who live according to the flesh will die.

Yes...a ‘newborn Christian’ goes through a stage of learning to ‘walk like Jesus’. (1 John 2:6). But we paint this out as if it is a life long journey that will never be fully reached until we die and go to heaven. Really? Is that the case? Maybe we should bring other scripture in for study here. In the same manner in which we are not shocked when a 10-month old child messes in their diaper daily, we would most likely be concerned if our 6-year old was ‘still’ doing the same thing, let alone our teenager or someone older.

We have recorded in the Bible that Paul wrote a second letter to the Corinthians. You might go read over chapter 12 there, vs.20-21 where he expresses serious concern and warning to them that upon his return for a visit, that it would go well for them if he not find them still...in this carnal condition. He elaborates more on these obvious unrepentant ‘sins’ that continue among them; sins like “contentions, jealousies, outburst of anger, selfish ambitions, backbiting, gossip, conceit’ along with ‘fornication and lewdness’ which they have practiced. In no uncertain terms, Paul indicates things will not be ‘pretty’ if he finds them in that carnal condition when he comes.

Do you know why this is no small matter? You need simply to turn over a few more pages and read what he writes to the Galatians there in chapter 5:19-21. He lists many of these same ‘carnal’ acts of the flesh telling them plainly: “those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” (21). His words, not mine. Let’s turn a few more pages to the right and settle in on Ephesians 5:1-6.

Please note where after he cites more examples of carnal nature that range from ‘fornication and coveting to foolish talk and coarse jesting’, he states such things are ‘not fitting and should not even be named among the saints’. And in case there is any question as to whether people who continue doing such things are ‘saved’ or not, look what he writes in vs. 5-6: “For this you KNOW...no ‘fornicator, unclean person etc...has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Just in case you are tempted to run to your pastor or a commentary where you hope be told otherwise, I’m telling you now in Jesus’ name...you are being deceived and lied to with ‘empty words’. “Sons of disobedience’ continue to remain carnal, fleshly, and practice sin. True followers of Jesus, who are led by His Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14) actually deal with that old sinful nature and are ‘obedient children’, as Peter refers to them. (1 Pet. 1:14). They no longer ‘conform themselves to the former lust’ but are ‘holy in all their conduct as He is holy’. They ‘know how to conduct themselves throughout the time of their stay here in fear’.(17)

Those who ‘belong to Christ have (past tense) crucified, or put to death, the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Gal. 5:24). They don't continue to dismiss them, make excuses for them, or worse, joke and wink about it as if 'everyone does'. They put it (old nature) to death.  His words, not mine.

Do you know why Paul was so serious in writing such things? Because he knows for a fact how serious God is...about such things. “Having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1). "For without holiness, no one...no one... no one...will see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14)