Frank,

The following comes close to what I had in mind when I answered your question. I think the condition of time is the important distinction. We may be saved but temporarily act in a carnal manner, but not for a long time, or for a lifetime. So if we are truly saved we will in short time repent ask forgiveness and be forgiven.

The process of sanctification, which usually follows after being redeemed through Jesus death and resurrection, must develop if the new birth and the creation of a new creature in Christ is genuine. Sanctification consists, of course, in those works the saved person does that will receive rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Such works include praying for the sick, giving charitably to assist the poor and needy, providing testimony of salvation, etc. If slipping back into carnality is a constant and repetitive failure and no works at all ever grow out of faith in God, then the new birth may be in doubt. Only God can make the decision about this since we do not know the inner heart and the motivations of others as God does.

Salvation, if genuine, can never be lost. But the rewards that can be earned by good works during the lifetime process of sanctification can be lost, leaving the person as though saved from a fire, with nothing but his life to show for his lifetime as a believer--leading to the loss of entry into the kingdom of the Father, as described in Matthew 7:21.

Your brother in Christ,

Robert

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http://www.gotquestions.org/carnal-Christian.html
 
Question: "What is a carnal Christian?"

Answer: Can a true Christian be carnal? In answering this question, let’s first define the term “carnal.” The word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.” This descriptive word is seen in the context of Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. In this passage, the apostle Paul is addressing the readers as “brethren,” a term he uses almost exclusively to refer to other Christians; he then goes on to describe them as “carnal.” Therefore, we can conclude that Christians can be carnal. The Bible is absolutely clear that no one is sinless (1 John 1:8). Every time we sin, we are acting carnally.

The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be, for a time, carnal, a true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. Some have abused the idea of a “carnal Christian” by saying that it is possible for people to come to faith in Christ and then proceed to live the rest of their lives in a completely carnal manner, with no evidence of being born again or a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a concept is completely unbiblical. James 2 makes it abundantly clear that genuine faith will always result in good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that while we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, that salvation will result in works. Can a Christian, in a time of failure and/or rebellion, appear to be carnal? Yes. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No.

Since eternal security is a fact of Scripture, even the carnal Christian is still saved. Salvation cannot be lost, because salvation is a gift of God that He will not take away (see John 10:28; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 5:13). Even in 1 Corinthians 3:15; the carnal Christian is assured of salvation: “If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” The question is not whether a person who claims to be a Christian but lives carnally has lost his salvation, but whether that person was truly saved in the first place (1 John 2:19).

Christians who become carnal in their behavior can expect God to lovingly discipline them (Hebrews 12:5-11) so they can be restored to close fellowship with Him and be trained to obey Him. God’s desire in saving us is that we would progressively grow closer to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2), becoming increasingly spiritual and decreasingly carnal, a process known as sanctification. Until we are delivered from our sinful flesh, there will be outbreaks of carnality. For a genuine believer in Christ, though, these outbreaks of carnality will be the exception, not the rule.