Why we must mortify sin. Part 2
There will be most likely one more post on why we must be about the mortification of sin. I believe that the reasons that John Owen gives as reason for mortification, are paramount for the Christian. We cannot neglect this great duty, but we also from the reasons given in these postings on the reasons for mortification, see our own infirmity in the flesh, and weakness in bringing forth sinless perfection from our own works and strivings. Praise God we have the Spirit living within us, that strengthens us and gives us a renewed vigour to battle sin. We must give strength to the Spirit through treasuring up in our hearts God's word, ever binding sin.
Psa 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Now we will look at a few more reasons to be constantly battleing for the mortification of sin.
3. It will bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins.
Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sin aims at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, should it follow its own course, it would go to the worst sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, should it grow to its head.
John Owen
Men may come to that, that sin should not be heard speaking a scandalous word in their hearts, - that is, provoking to any great sin with scandal in its mouth; but yet every rise of lust, might it have its course, would come to the height of villany: It is like a grave, that is never satisfied.
John Owen
In this lies no small share of the deceitfulness of sin, by which it prevails to the hardening of men, and so to their ruin, Heb. III 13, - it is modest, as it were, in its first motions and proposals, but having once got a footing in the heart by them, it constantly makes good its ground, and presseth on to some farther degrees in the same kind. The new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made; it thinks all is indifferent well if there be no farther progress; and so far as the soul is made insensible of any sin, - that is, as to such a sense as the gospel requireth, - so far it is hardened: but sin is still pressing forward, because it hath no bounds but utter relinquishment of God and opposition to him; ground it hath got by hardness, is not from its nature, but its deceitfulness.
John Owen
There is not the best saint in the world, if he should relinquish this duty, would fall into as many cursed sins as ever any did of his kind.
John Owen
4. This is one of the main reasons why the Spirit and the new nature is given unto us, that we may have a principle within whereby to oppose sin and lust.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
It is our participation of the divine nature that gives us an escape from the pollutions that are in the world through lust.
John Owen
Now this is, first, the most unjust and unreasonable thing in the world, when two combatants are engaged, to bind one and keep him from doing his utmost, and to leave the other at liberty to wound him at his pleasure; and, secondly, the most foolish thing in the world to bind him who fights for our eternal condition, [salvation] and to let him alone who seeks and violently attempts our everlasting ruin. The contest is for our lives and souls. Not to be daily employing the Spirit and new nature for the mortifying of sin, is to neglect to make use of what we have received, God may justly hold his hand from giving us more. His graces, as well as his gifts, are bestowed on us to use, exercise, and trade with. Not to be daily mortifying sin, is to sin against the goodness, kindess, wisdom, grace, and love of God, who hath furnished us with a principle of doing it.
John Owen
Psa 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Now we will look at a few more reasons to be constantly battleing for the mortification of sin.
3. It will bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins.
Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sin aims at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, should it follow its own course, it would go to the worst sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, should it grow to its head.
John Owen
Men may come to that, that sin should not be heard speaking a scandalous word in their hearts, - that is, provoking to any great sin with scandal in its mouth; but yet every rise of lust, might it have its course, would come to the height of villany: It is like a grave, that is never satisfied.
John Owen
In this lies no small share of the deceitfulness of sin, by which it prevails to the hardening of men, and so to their ruin, Heb. III 13, - it is modest, as it were, in its first motions and proposals, but having once got a footing in the heart by them, it constantly makes good its ground, and presseth on to some farther degrees in the same kind. The new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made; it thinks all is indifferent well if there be no farther progress; and so far as the soul is made insensible of any sin, - that is, as to such a sense as the gospel requireth, - so far it is hardened: but sin is still pressing forward, because it hath no bounds but utter relinquishment of God and opposition to him; ground it hath got by hardness, is not from its nature, but its deceitfulness.
John Owen
There is not the best saint in the world, if he should relinquish this duty, would fall into as many cursed sins as ever any did of his kind.
John Owen
4. This is one of the main reasons why the Spirit and the new nature is given unto us, that we may have a principle within whereby to oppose sin and lust.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
It is our participation of the divine nature that gives us an escape from the pollutions that are in the world through lust.
John Owen
Now this is, first, the most unjust and unreasonable thing in the world, when two combatants are engaged, to bind one and keep him from doing his utmost, and to leave the other at liberty to wound him at his pleasure; and, secondly, the most foolish thing in the world to bind him who fights for our eternal condition, [salvation] and to let him alone who seeks and violently attempts our everlasting ruin. The contest is for our lives and souls. Not to be daily employing the Spirit and new nature for the mortifying of sin, is to neglect to make use of what we have received, God may justly hold his hand from giving us more. His graces, as well as his gifts, are bestowed on us to use, exercise, and trade with. Not to be daily mortifying sin, is to sin against the goodness, kindess, wisdom, grace, and love of God, who hath furnished us with a principle of doing it.
John Owen
posted by James | 8:44 AM
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