Paul, in speaking to believers, thus challenges the Colossians: ‘Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth’ (Col. 3:5). Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? You must always be at it while you live; do not take a day off from this work; always be killing sin or it will be killing you.
Your position in Christ, and the new life that you have in Him, does not excuse you from this work. Our Saviour tells us how His Father deals with every branch in Him that beareth fruit; every true and living branch, ‘He prunes [it], that it may bear more fruit’ (John 15:2). He prunes it, and not just for a day or two, but as long as it is a branch in this world. Paul describes his practice: ‘I discipline my body and keep it under control’ (1 Cor. 9:27). This was his daily business. If this was the work and business of Paul, who was so exalted in grace, revelations, enjoyments, privileges, and consolations above the ordinary measure of believers, how can we be exempt from this work and duty while we are in the world?
—John Owen, The Mortification of Sin (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1656/2004), 5-6.
Read the rest of this great work on christian sanctification and mortification of sin, here.
Mortification of sin. It hadn’t really struck me that strongly before as it did now having started reading dear Owen’s work on the title. Especially coupled with my re-listening of C.H. Spurgeon’s sermon entitled “A Call to Holy Living.” I am close to struck dumb. R.C. Sproul put it this way (my paraphrase): “If I can give myself wholly to golf, in fear and trembling, how would it be if I do the same in the enterprise of the Christian life?”
Ah, but then we should go back to the motivation of it all. It isn’t simply of fear of sin, or because of fear of the judgment for it. But for the redeemed it is entirely other! Hear Mr. Spurgeon’s words:
The commands of Christ are not upon the legal tenor of, “do this and live,” but upon the Gospel system of, “live and do this.” We are not to be attentive to the precepts in order to be saved but because we are saved. Our master motive is gratitude to Him who has saved us with a great salvation.
May this be the anthem of our hearts as we strive for greater sanctification and mortification of sin, through Him and for Him, the Lord Christ Jesus who has adopted us in the Beloved in the regenerating of our souls, Amen.
