Look to the Lamb of God

 "Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" —I Corinthians 3:3 [KJV]

The phrase CARNAL SAINTS, the self-righteous look on as a very opprobrious term, as though contradictory to the character of a real Christian. But such persons differ in judgment from an inspired apostle. Paul calls these Corinthian converts, "babes in Christ;" while he says to them, "Ye are yet carnal." Yea, he appeals to their judgments: "Are ye not so?" Doth not your walk, your words, your strife, your views, give sad evidence of the truth of this my assertion? do you not act and behave too much like men who are strangers to Jesus, and the life and power of vital godliness? But believers are a compound of flesh and spirit. The new-created soul dwells in a sinful body, and is opposed by a carnal nature. There may be true grace within, though much carnality appears without. Weak faith in Jesus may be opposed with strong corruptions and unbelief—a little true knowledge of Jesus in the heart, yet beset with great ignorance and weakness of judgment—the dawning of true hope in Jesus, but interposed with clouds of darkness—the stirrings of real love to Jesus, but resisted by the love of the world, and the objects of sense—real esteem for a preached gospel, and yet carnal contentions, and debates, may arise about ministers and things of no real profit to the soul. This is true. Yet such weaklings in the faith, such babes in Christ, are as safe, because beloved by the same Father, redeemed by the same precious blood of Jesus, and renewed by the power of the same Spirit, as young men and fathers in Christ; but indeed they are not so happy; they do not glorify God so much; they do not bring forth so much fruit to God, nor so greatly adorn the gospel of Jesus as those who are strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and more established in the faith and love of Him.

But let not such discourage their hearts, nor entertain hard thoughts of our loving master Jesus, as though he expected to reap where he has not sown. Let them not burden their weak minds with things that are too strong, nor exercise their tender hearts with matters that are too high; but let them simply consider Jesus; look to the Lamb of God, confess their weakness at His feet, praying to Him for strength, studying His word for knowledge; and, "as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby." "For those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God."—Psalm 92:13. "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."—Isaiah 41:10.

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)