Religious but carnal; Being religious and remaining carnal, does not have a good eternal outcome. When it comes to our own salvation, I discern it is for our own best interest, to look under every rock, figuratively speaking, for that evil serpent that is behind every teaching and custom that has been accepted by many, but not righteous before God. Just because there is an accepted custom or paradigm teaching, generally accepted, and endorsed, does not mean it's righteous and truthful before God. Let’s consider the many choices of corporate churches today and what the apostle Paul taught about the denominational divisions, he viewed as being carnal, and what he also taught the outcome of remaining carnal.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NKJV And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3. for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4. For when one says, "I am of Paul,'' and another, "I am of Apollos,'' are you not carnal?
It is my discernment that this verse, today, would of been written in this manner,
..."I am of the Catholics", and another, "I am of the Baptists" or another,"I am of the Pentecostals", are you not carnal?
Also, keep in mind, the outcome of remaining carnal is death, as this next scripture proclaims.
Romans 8:6 NKJV For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
car-nal (kär"n...l) adj. 2. Worldly or earthly; temporal: the carnal world.
I think this denominational division we have today, began even in the days of the apostle Paul. What's interesting is that even being carnal, they were spoken to as “babe's in Christ”, but being babes in Christ, without growth, he also taught is eternally fatal. You see, there is no, "to the saving of one's soul" in continuing in being a babe in Christ for without growth, that is indeed, remaining in that carnal, state of mind. And a carnal mind is not sensitive to the leading of Gods Holy Spirit.
The other thing I discern is that, had they been growing in the knowledge of God, it would not of seemed right for them to bring division, and break away from the unity of the body of Christ, to join the group that was following Apollos or the group following Paul. And I see no difference in those today that have distanced themselves from the church that resides in the homes of those disciplined in Christ, instead choosing to join in with the group that's following today's Apollos, or Cephas, in other words, their corporate church of choice. And according to scripture, that is being carnal. And do not be deceived; what was carnal then, is carnal today!
No denominational division amongst those in Christ: 1 Corinthians 1:10.-12 NKJV Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul,'' or "I am of Apollos,'' or "I am of Cephas,'' or "I am of Christ.''13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The apostle Paul rebuked this carnal activity by saying in verse 13. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
... For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Notice in verse 17 in the verse above, as it has a very important message…“preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect". Please discern with some Spiritual depth. Words of wisdom is the desire of Apollos, or today’s credentialed preachers/pastors, claiming they have the wisdom of God, which is being viewed by the carnal as being authentic, because of their credentials, to teach their congregation. That is a huge deception that many have succumbed, with a willing and deceived heart!
And in verse 30. ... But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption
For as the apostle Paul identified, if it were the case that man can preach the wisdom of God, then Christ, meaning the anointing that God gives to those that are lead by Christ, would have no added value. And the sufferings of Christ Jesus, was done in vain, that is, if man had that ability. The apostle Paul was identifying, that the wisdom of man will never come close to matching the wisdom of God. The wisdom of man is nothing but foolishness compared to the wisdom of God. And the wisdom of God is not given through man, not given through a credentialed preacher/pastor, not even through the apostle Paul. The apostle Paul acknowledged that he could not provide the wisdom to God to man. For the wisdom of God, is the effective outcome, of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, which prepared that place for us, in that divine relationship with God through Him and that anointing of God, is the only resource that provides the wisdom of God, to the obedient children of God.
Hearing the silent word of God in ones personal time of discernment: 1 John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
And the obedient children of God, that is disciplined by that anointing, is indeed, the true church, the united body of Christ! We must understand that with God, He wants us to be united and not divided. He has a plan of unity where those that live in the anointing of His Holy Spirit can enjoy and depend upon the fellowship of their brethren. Brethren that are also growing in the knowledge of God, through His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are to share our revelations the Lord has provided, being an encouragement to others, in our everyday life fellowship with them. And this is not happening in today’s corporate churches. And those that are deep routed in the Lord, are to help the weak, seeking for their strength in God. We must not neglect Christ and become carnal, glorying in the doctrines of man, pledging allegiance to any denomination. Instead, we are to be in "same mind and judgment" as accomplished through Christ!
Many deny the power of God's indwelling Spirit, in allowing Christ to shepherd them into one mind without contentions and division. The following Scripture tells us not to partake of this behavior of denial.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4. traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5. "having a form of godliness" but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Notice: ..."having a form of godliness" is the mindset, seeking the carnal wisdom of man as fulfilled in this prophecy of today’s corporate churches
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves (credentialed) teachers; [4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
And all those behaviors in the two above scripture are present in those that save their lives, to be lived their way, apart from seeking Gods will in all that they do. For as Jesus said, deny our self-centered will, pick up our cross which is seeking the will of God for us, individually and then following Jesus, in His example of total obedience to the will of His God and Father, the same God and Father of the obedient children of God!
As Jesus taught, ... "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. [35] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. [36] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? [37] Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:34-37 NKJV
Therefore, do not partake in the carnal corporate churches as prophesied in the bible, which has been present for many generations, instead turn to the true church of Christ, that's foundation is Christ, as established in the homes of those, disciplined in Christ! Seeking and enjoying life, being lived in the power of God which is found and experienced within the presence of God's Holy Spirit. Allowing your light, which is in Christ, shine in a dark, dark world, seeking the fellowship of others, having the same mindset, deeply embedded in Christ.