Q408 : Can we know whether sinning Christians are true believers or not?
A few days ago I read: Q 139: Can Salvation be Lost?a
I don't want to assess that man's heart of course. I think, we are not allowed to do it, only God has got the very insight into our hearts.
But my question is: can we really differentiate people who are in the world, I mean who are not born-again from true Christians who are carnal Christians?
You advised that man to go to the church and to get help from experienced Christians. He mentioned about his sins from I.Cor.6.9-11.
But now what about the church in Corinth where Christians behaved improperly, they sinned really. There was no difference between them and people from the world. :(
There are a lot people who don't read the Bible, don't attend church meetings: many such people lead really carnal Christian lives. Perhaps they are changing, but they have been saved, but are still committing a lot of sins.
We don't go to the church to be saved but to listen to the Word of God and worship our great God.
Many people stay far away from church buildings and they haven't got any possibilities to get there and they take part in online churches. It doesn't mean they are not born-again people. And vice versa: there are some who participate in the church assembly and they are not true Christians at all.
Could you give me your take on this problem?
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A408 : by Tony Garland
Scripture indicates that in our Christian walk, we are likely to interact with two classes of professing Christians: (1) those who appear to act like Christians, but are not saved; (2) those who don’t act like Christians, but are truly saved (born-again).
Appear saved, but unsaved
The letters dictated by Jesus to the seven churches of Asia in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation provide a good example of Christians who appear saved, but are not. Jesus divides those in the churches into two categories: overcomers — true believers who have overcome through their faith in Christ (1Jn. 5:4-5), and non-overcomers — church-goers who may profess Christ, but are not believers. Only the overcomers receive promises equivalent with salvation (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-27; 3:5, 12, 21).
While Jesus' criticisms of the various churches provide some indication of the God-dishonoring practices of the unbelievers who attend the church, it would be difficult to argue that each individual attendee could be reliably placed in one category or the other purely on the basis of their actions.
Appear unsaved, but are saved
There is also ample evidence that true believers can behave like unbelievers. The Church at Corinth is a prime example.
1 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? (1Cor. 3:1-3)
Paul refers to brethren who are carnal — live in a way which their sinful flesh dominates their thoughts and behavior. There is even a believer in their midst who has an incestous relationship with his Father’s wife (1Cor. 5:1). Paul’s instructions for the Church to discipline the man make clear his status as a believer (1Cor. 5:9-13), concluding:
12 For what [have] I [to do] with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person." (1Cor. 5:12-13)
Left to our own assumptions, many believers might assume someone practicing incest could not be a true believer. But, Scripture indicates this real possibility!
For more on the reality of carnal believers, see Steve Lewis' presentation, Believers Who Act like Unbelieversa.
Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth is also an antidote to the teaching of Lordship Salvationb which maintains that worldly Christians must not be true believers.
Carnality and the Work of the Spirit
Bearing this in mind, other passages attribute the ongoing, remorseless, practice of sin as characteristic of the life of an unbeliever.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)
Although a person may not immediately respond to His promptings, if the Holy Spirit has taken up residence within a believer they will ultimately come under His conviction and a change in behavior—however slow or slight—will begin to take place.
Discernment Advised
Although we may be unable to identify these categories completely accurately, Jesus taught believers to discern false believers by their actions.
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor [can] a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Mat. 7:15-23)
Jesus indicates, ultimately, a bad tree cannot bear good fruit and by their fruits you will know [false Christians]. The example He gives is remarkable: they not only claim to know Him, they apparently (at least claimed to have) prophesied and cast out demons in Jesus' name! Notice, though, they also practice lawlessness. How obvious these lawless beliefs or behaviors were isn’t stated. But the implication is they can be discerned as false brethren.
In Conclusion
The Bible teaches the reality of believers who live like unbelievers—at least for seasons of their walk. It also indicates there are situations where we can (and are expected to) discern false brethren based on their lawless beliefs and/or actions. This is a difficult assignment: one that requires both wisdom and grace!
We must also keep in mind that we cannot be certain in every situation. Ultimately, only Jesus knows His own. I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own. (John 10:14)
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