Owen on the Spirit and Mortification

by | Apr 24, 2007 | Christian Living

From Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers . . . reasons why the papists can never, with all their endeavors, truly mortify any one sin, among others are: Because many of the ways and means they use and insist upon for this end were never appointed of God for that purpose (i.e., rough garments, their vows, penances, disciplines, their courses of monastical life, and the like;). Because those things that are appointed of God as means are not used by them in their due place and order – such as are praying, fasting, watching, meditation, and the like.. (59). Why Mortification is the Work of the Spirit He is promised of God to be given unto us to do this work. We have all our mortification from the gift of Christ, and all the gifts of Christ are communicated to us and given us by the Spirit of Christ (60). How the Spirit Mortifies Sin By causing our hearts to abound in grace and the fruits that are contrary to the flesh, and the fruits thereof and principles of them. By a real physical efficiency on the root and habit of sin, for the weakening, destroying, and taking it away. He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner by faith, and gives us communion with Christ in his death and fellowship in his sufferings (61) If the Spirit Alone Mortifies Sin, Why Are We Exhorted to Mortify It? It is no otherwise the work of the Spirit but as all graces and good works which are in us are his. He does not so...

Be Active in Killing Sin

by | Apr 23, 2007 | Christian Living

From Owen’s Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers Sin will not only be striving, acting, rebelling, troubling, disquieting, but if let alone, if not continually mortified, it will bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins (52). Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course, it would go out to the utmost 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, might it grow to its head (53). Not to be daily mortifying sin is to sin against the goodness, kindness, wisdom, grace, and love of God, who has furnished us with a principle of doing it (54). Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts (55). The root of an unmortified course is the digestion of sin without bitterness in the heart...

More From Owen

by | Apr 22, 2007 | Christian Living

In his chapter, “The Necessity of Mortification” in his book, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, John Owen gives us a few summary principles, from his exegetical musings on Romans 8:13: The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin (47). The mortification of indwelling sin remaining in our mortal bodies, that it may not have life and power to bring forth the works or deeds of the flesh, is the constant duty of believers.(49). The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh (49). Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you (50). When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone; but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigourous at all times ad in all conditions, even where there is least suspicion (51). If sin be subtle, watchful, strong, and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we be slothful, negligent, foolish, in proceding to the ruin thereof, can we expect a comfortable event? There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled, prevails or is prevailed on; and it will be so...