There are two categories of Christians- carnal-minded and true. It's God's desire for every soul to willingly accept Jesus into your heart, the first step in your 're-birthed' spiritual life. I don't think God intended anyone to accept His gift of salvation as a free-ticket to heaven with disregard to your Christian responsibilities. Carnal-minded Christians put greater importance on how salvation can benefit them here and now, rather than on the spiritual things of God. The thoughts of a carnal-minded Christian go something like this, "If Jesus died for me, and I accept him as my Savior, my sins are forgiven, so I don't have to give up anything and I can continue doing everything I like to do." This selfish Christian is not willing to let go of the bondage sin and isn't making the spiritual things of God important in his/her heart which are necessary to grow and mature in their spiritual relationship with God.
| The Lord loves righteousness and justice |
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A Christian is a follower of Christ. An imitator of Christ.
It's my belief that when you truly understand the significance of Jesus' dying in your place has on your eternal future, (you're supernaturally transformed from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive with your soul's eternal future assured and your heavenly inheritance secure), you can focus on sharing how you acquired your wonderful fortune with others so they also can know how they can have the same, and you can of service to them showing them the love of Christ. Jesus conquered death for you, making no longer any need to fear dying. [Absent from the body, present with the Lord.(2 Cor 5:6-9)} Once this realization is grasped, you can't help but turn from ''a lifestyle of temporary pleasure for the body', to a lifestyle of one that shows gratitude, appreciation, humbleness, and desiring your loved ones to experience the same saving grace upon their souls. Compared to that, no amount of money or temporary 'good feeling', or tangible possession can even touch what goodness is in your future because Jesus redeemed you back into good grace, standing and fellowship God. And all it takes is to first believe, and accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. When someone opens a world of life to you, naturally want to thank that person. And since there's nothing you can give God that he doesn't already have, the best way to honor him is by obeying His Word. As you become more mature in your Christian spiritual journey, you begin to do less and less of the 'bad' things. You'll begin to want to make changes you know will please God in your lifestyle choices. Your actions and choices are the evidence showing the change that has occurred on the inside of you. Your 'spiritual re-birth' enables you to better live up a higher standard of holiness, this is 'your living sacrifice' to God. Yes, you could continue doing the things you knew aren't pleasing to God, but now your desire is more for the spiritual things of God. And if you slip up, and we all do, those 'bad things' or actions don't seem as enjoyable any more when we do fall back into them. In other words, we aren't perfect but lifestyle choices reflect our heart's desire in more on spiritual things of God and not just on pleasing ourselves.
| True peace is freedom from sin's bondage |
It's easy to be a carnal-minded Christian living in a physical world. On the contrary, it requires a willful decision upon each fresh morning and throughout every day to be a true, spiritually-minded Christian. God doesn't force anyone to do anything. He allows you to choose what you will do because if you do it willingly, that shows you want it without force. Love never demands or forces anyone into anything. It's easy to 'fake a smile' but be unhappy on the inside. The truth shows about your inner being by your outward actions, habits, and lifestyle. Let your relationship with the Lord be a testimony and honor to show Christ died to pay the penalty of sin, and you know sin is not looked upon as what a Christian should be okay to keep doing, even though Jesus has already paid the price with his life.
I believe God desires Christians to grow spiritually mature and not remain 'thinking like the world'. In essence, a carnal-minded Christian wants to "keep Jesus nailed to the cross" so they may continue living as an 'unbeliever' .
My list of points pertaining to carnal-minded vs spiritually minded.
1. Jesus knew no sin. Allow him be your example to live by in being a servant.
2. Jesus taught to live by the truth of the living Word.
3. Jesus suffered a cruel, public death as 'The one sacrificial Lamb' for all of man's sins.
4. Jesus conquered the power of death. He was resurrected.
5. In Him alone, you will have life everlasting. He is interceding for all saints right now.
5. Satan is a liar. If you listen to him, you're listening to lies. for only lies come from him.
6.The Christian life includes a spiritual relationship with the Spirit of God which encompasses His three spiritual forms- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. A true Christian has the Holy Spirit as a counselor to help him understand the Word.
7. A true Christian is spiritually-minded and desires a lifestyle of obeying and working out
their salvation to show to God a pleasing and holy sacrifice, and to produce good works, & point others to Jesus---all this to show 'thanks' for what Christ has done taking them from death to life, and their promised inheritance in heaven will be theirs.This is in addition of bypassing hell and spiritual death in the Lake of Fire.
8. A true Christian is thankful and humbled that Jesus loved them so they wouldn't have to die. True Christians, being human will never be sinless, but when they do, it's uncomfortable knowing it was wrong, are regretful and ask forgiveness and try not to do it again.
9. A carnal- minded Christian would prefer Jesus stay on the cross so their continual sins be continually forgiven. Carnal-minded Christians can show no outward evidence showing their inner re-birth status reflecting Christ living in their heart. They want to do as their flesh dictates and have no regard to be Christ-like or be of service to others or share the gospel. Their main concern on themselves and worldliness.
10. The difference between a true Christian and a carnal-minded Christian has to do with the change on the inside to do what's pleasing to God and be of service to others.
11. God desires a holy church. And people make up the church.
12. Christians should repent of their sins. Which means 'to turn away' rather than make a willing lifestyle to practice that sin continually.
13. A Christian's priority should be spiritual, not carnal or worldly. Anything you place more important than God is considered idolatry, which also is sin.
An excellent video so you can be a true and free Christian
This testimony will make you also see there must be a change in your life
There is only one thing which can give true satisfaction in life... and that's a relationship with the Lord, through Jesus Christ.
BONUS: God sent his precious Son, Jesus, to us to save us from the separation that sin caused as a gulf between us and God, and spiritual death. Jesus in your heart, or not in your heart is what will determine your present, future and eternal destiny. God patiently waits for you to make your choice. He is a fair, just, righteous God. and will judge all accordingly.
No need to fear anything, or worry, when you will not be in lack any good thing in the family of God. So smile, use your energy and love to share to others and show them the 'light of life' burning within you... this is the sign of a true spiritually-minded Christian.
Time for service.
Scripture references. Type any scripture reference or keyword into the box below to read.
Psalms 98:9; 33:5; 89:14; 49: 16-18; John 14:6; Romans 8:6-8; 8:21; Luke 4:18; 1Cor 3:1; 3:3; 10:23; Gal 6:8; James 4:4; 2Cor chapter 5; 2Cor7:10; Titus 2:11-13 : 1Sam 8:19-20; Job 20:4-29 and
Job 21:11-15; Gal 5:19-21; Col 3:5; 1Peter 4:3; Matthew 6:25-34
Wise words...found in 1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
In conclusion...1John 2:28-29 - And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Question- Which category of Christian do you fall under? Are you carnal-minded and still more interested in self and things of this world? Or, does your life show you're more interested in the spiritual things of God, which is the sign of a true Christian? The answer is evidently clear where you stand- Are you sharing the gospel? Are there changes in your life from when you were unsaved? And, do you have a heart for service to others.
God bless all who take the journey on the path less traveled leading to your glorious Son.
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