Carnal Christians?

Today is Thursday, the day I like to share words I have read through the week.

These are borrowed words from R.C Sproul, on his book Romans; in which he talks about the doctrine of the "carnal Christan" which has spread so widely among Evangelicals.

"We cannot receive Christ as Savior without at the same time bending our knees to his lordship. This does not mean we believe we are perfect, but it does mean that at the moment we believe, we are changed. Our lives are turned around, and the beginning of the process of sanctification has taken place. Justification does not produce the fullness of sanctification, but it initiates it immediately. If we have made a profession of faith but there is absolutely no evidence of change in our hearts and lives, then we need to ask whether that profession of faith was genuine. True faith always and immediately produces change.

Yes, indeed, the battle with sin goes on for our whole lifetime. We do not believe in instantaneous sanctification. Justification is instantaneous. The second we believe, we are fully justified. We will never be any more justified than we are at the moment we believe, but sanctification is a process that begins at our justification and is completed in our glorification in heaven. If we are believers, we are in that process of sanctification."

 
I remember I grew under this kind of teaching; the only fruit that I saw, even in my own life, was that of living a double life. We all "understood"; we never expected holiness in the church because "being a carnal Christian" was a doctrine we all believed.

Sproul also says,

"We all sin, but if we have been born of the Spirit, we are no longer slaves to that sin. We can no longer say to God, “I cannot help it. I am dominated by the power of sin.” If we are still in a condition of slavery to sin, then we are not regenerated"

I encourage you not only to read the Scriptures as you would read any other book, instead, study them meditate, on them, memorize them; let them change you today!

Under His sun and by His grace,