Does being carnal cancel out being a laborer with God?
No, being carnal does not cancel out being a laborer with God. Even if believers are a little on the carnal side, as the Corinthians were, that does not negate the fact that they remain laborers together with God. The partnership with the Creator God persists despite carnality.
Les explains that we are laborers together with God, and what a partner He is. He illustrates that wealthy people often get wealthy by hooking up with the right wealthy person, but believers have something better: they are hooked up with the Creator God Himself, feeding on His promises day in and day out. Although God does not always act the way we think He should, He is sovereign and in control. Even if we are a little on the carnal side, as the Corinthians were, that does not cancel out the fact that we are still laborers with God. Les emphasizes this in the Corinthian study to encourage those who are not spiritual giants. He shares how reading Watchman Nee on true spirituality once made him feel far beneath and almost discouraged, but the truth remains that carnality does not sever our laborer status with God.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
More Questions
Does being carnal mean you are no longer a co-laborer with God?
Even if believers are somewhat carnal, as the Corinthians were, that does not cancel out the fact that they are still laborers with God, because He remains sovereign and in control even when He does not do things the way we think He should.
What does it mean that we are laborers together with God?
Being 'laborers together with God' means the believer is hooked up with the Creator God Himself, which is far better than a wealthy person getting rich by being hooked up with another wealthy person.
Does it make a difference whether a carnal Christian or a spiritual giant does God's work?
As workers, every believer — whether carnal like the Corinthians or a spiritual giant like some great men of God — serves the same function, so that distinction makes no difference in the work.