Dr. Couch, do the Scriptures teach that there can be "carnal" Christians? And, is it possible to be "carnally saved"?
ANSWER: The Bible clearly states that there are three categories of mankind.
Paul refers to the (1) natural man (psukikos, soulish) who operates only
from the center of himself, from the core of his soul and from nothing
else (1 Cor. 2:14). Then there is the (2) spiritual man (pneumatikos,
spiritual) who is born again and who has the work of the Holy Spirit as
central in his life. He is filled (controlled) by the Spirit for daily
living. He wants to operate by what the Spirit of God says, and not what
his flesh dictates. Then there is (3) the fleshly, carnal man
(sarkikos, carnal) who is the Christian who operates by putting his
flesh front and center—by what he can see, touch, hear, say, and where
he can go. He then grieves and smothers the work of God’s Spirit in his
life.
I am not sure what you mean when you speak of being "carnally saved." I
believe when one accepts Christ, and places all of his sins at the
cross, that this is the lowest moment for any human being. He then is
most "spiritual" and empty of himself. Unfortunately, many Christians
then get up off of their knees and start walking carnal rather than
relying on the Spirit of God, and Scripture, in guiding them.
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
