The Mortification of Sin

We've been reading "The Mortification of Sin" (by John Owen) for our Bible Study on Thursdays, and as I've been playing some catch-up, I thought I'd share a couple of thoughts.

Owen starts out with a reflection on Romans 8:13.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13).

The discussion of his first chapter then ponders on how the conditional "if" should be interpreted. Owen concludes:

The intention, then, of this proposition as conditional is, That there is a certain infallible connection and coherence between true mortification and eternal life. If you use this means, you shall obtain that end. If you do 'mortify' you shall live.

In case your English is a little rusty, like mine is--and having only been trained in the way of numbers and no the way of words--I'll sum up what he means, in short: That "putting to death" the deeds of body is the means by which one obtains life. By "life" here, neither Owen nor Paul mean "salvation." Owen will clarify later.

The second point that Owen makes is:

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.

Before one objects, "How can he get that from this verse?!" let's return the verse. Romans 8 :13 refers to a group of people--"you"--and Owen ponders, who is this "you" referring to? Romans 8:1 talks about those for whom "there is [...] no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). And Owen concludes that verse 13 continues to address this group of people. As for why Owen infers the "ought" from these verses, it is probably because he takes Scripture very seriously. If Scripture teaches us that "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live," then how should we--as those in Christ Jesus--ignore this command? A follower of Christ may, indeed, ignore "putting to death the deeds of the body," but Owen draws out the implication of neglecting that duty in chapter 2. Suffice it to say, if we are not fighting sin by the Spirit, it triumphs over us, and as we "live according to the flesh," we "die." Therefore, it only makes sense that a follower of Christ ought to "mortify" sin.

Owen's third point:

The principal efficient cause of the performance of this duty is the Spirit: 'if by the Spirit'.

I'll use Owen's own words to elaborate. "All other ways of mortification are vain; all helps leave us helpless; it must be done by the Spirit."

Owen's fourth point:

The intention of the apostle in this prescription of the duty mentioned, is, that the mortification of indwelling sin, remaining in our mortal bodies, in order that it may not have life and power to bring forth the works or deeds of the flesh, is the constant duty of believers.

Owen is mostly discussing what is meant by the phrase "deeds of the body." He defines the "body" as "indwelling sin, the corrupted flesh or lust." "Deeds" Owen defines as the outward actions, though he goes on to say that "deeds" encompasses even the intent of the sinful heart. He then comes to the conclusion we just put forth. A couple sentences that I liked in this section: With regards to the mortification (putting to death) of sin, Owen writes, "that is, have its power, life, vigour and strength to produce its effects, taken away by the Spirit. [...]. But the whole work is by degrees to be carried on towards perfection all our days." It is great encouragement to know that the "killing off" of indwelling sin--though I have been freed from its bonds--isn't instantaneous and takes a good deal of time. For how often have we judged ourselves un-Christian the moment we make the slightest sin? Or how often have we imagined that we sin no more (barring the arrogance of that thought itself ;) )?

And, finally, Owen's last point.

Supposing what was said before, of the connection between mortification and eternal life, as of means and end, I shall add only, as a second motive to the duty prescribed, that, the vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depend on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.

That is, the "life" promised is not only eternal life--but is one's spiritual life (here on earth) as well.

Well, that sums up the first chapter. It gets more interesting, in the future chapters. And if I ever remember to get to the future chapters, you shall read about them too. :-D