“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief…” Hebrews 3:12-19
It can be seen from the text that there are two stages of the Christian life. There are carnal Christians and there are spiritual Christians (Heb. 5:12-14). There are those Christians who come up out of Egypt but then remain in the wilderness of a worldly life and never enter God’s plan of eternal rest in Him. And there are those who follow the Lord fully, entering the life of rest and victory through righteousness and holiness in Christ Jesus.
CARNAL CHRISTIAN
Carnal is defined as ‘of the flesh, sensual, worldly, not spiritual.” Romans 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die.” That is spiritual death, separation from God. Galatians 5:19-21 and Ephesians 4:25-5;5 tell us that those who practice such things (works of the flesh) will not inherit the kingdom of God.
A carnal Christian is easily deceived by countless false doctrines such as those that teach you can live a life of sin and still go to heaven. We must never forget that sin is serious and something to avoid at all costs. Sin is designed to kill the human spirit, resulting in eternal separation from God (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:1-4).
The carnal Christian may be glad to be born again but shows little interest in developing an intimate relationship with God or living a life of holiness. He is unwilling to pay the price and if he continues down this path, will end up losing his salvation because he did not endure to the end (Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13; Heb. 3:14).
SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN
The spiritual Christian loves God more than the world and is ever ready to obey God. He hungers and thirsts for the things of God, loves God’s word, contends for the faith, and refuses to compromise the word of God.
The spiritual Christian is determined to get to know God intimately and the power of His resurrection as well as the fellowship of His suffering. He is determined to live a life of righteousness and holiness, a life of separation and service, at any cost. (Matt. 5:6; 10:38; 22:34-40; Jude 3; Philippians 3:10-11; 1 Peter 1:13-17).
The spiritual Christian doesn’t have to go it alone. Because He lives and walks in the Spirit, He doesn’t fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:25). The Holy Spirit leads and guides him, teaches and strengthens him.
CONCLUSION
My prayer is that the carnal Christian would wake up, repent, and grow up (Heb. 5:12-14). And that the spiritual Christian never tire of wanting more of God!