#34 HCBC 9-9-07 AM
The Mortifying the Flesh
Christians have an obligation to mortify the flesh.
Romans 8:12-17
If I asked you: What is the Christian position toward euthanasia?
You might say: Pastor, what kind of question is that?
You know the Bible teaches that God is the one who gives life!
You know the Bible teaches the sanctity of life!
You know that God is not glorified when man takes a life!
And I would say: Yes, you are right, but the Bible uses this word in reference to the sin in
our lives!
The term means: “to put to death.” It refers to an active involvement in killing!
The Greek word “thanatos” means death.
The prefix “eu” makes the noun a verb, which expresses an action.
Romans 8:12, among other verses, uses the word euthanize to describe what God expects
His people to do about their sin.
Coming back to Romans, let’s remember the big picture:
Paul is writing to the church at Rome several years before he actually goes there to
defend his faith before Caesar.
In this letter he outlines the bad news and the good news!
He explains the wrath of God, the grace of God, the plan of God and the will of God.
The wrath of God says that all have sinned and deserve death!
(1:18 – 3:20)
The grace of God says that salvation is made available to all,
by trusting in Jesus Christ who died to pay for our sin!
(3:21 – 8:39)
The plan of God explains His dealings with Israel, His chosen people!
(9 – 11)
The will of God outlines how to live the new life He has given us!
(12 – 16)
In this section of the letter on the grace of God, we have seen:
The way of salvation through having righteousness credited to us by faith;
We have died to sin and been made alive in Christ;
We used to be slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to righteousness;
Though we have died to sin, we still struggle because of the flesh;
That brings us to chapter 8,
Paul opens the chapter with the proclamation that there is no condemnation for
Christians!
He closes the chapter with the proclamation that nothing can separate us from the
love of Christ!
Throughout the chapter he describes the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the
Christian!
In our few verses, from 12 to 17, Paul makes the point that Christians have an obligation to
euthanize the flesh or the sinful nature!
Romans 8:12-17
We have an obligation.
Not to the flesh
which brings death
But to put to death the flesh
which brings life
Because Spirit-led people are sons of God
the Spirit lives in us
and
the Spirit testifies with our spirit
that we are God’s children
that we are heirs with Christ
so:
we share in Christ’s sufferings
we share in Christ’s glory.
What does it mean to “mortify the flesh?” “put to death the misdeeds of the body”
John MacArthur:
Paul is describing a way of life where Christians seek to throttle sin and crush it from their lives, sapping it of its strength, rooting it out, and depriving it of its influence. That is what it means to mortify sin.
Mortification involves the cultivation of new habits of godliness, combined with the elimination of old sinful habits from one’s behavior. It is a constant warfare that takes place within the believer. Although a Christian should expect his triumph over sin to be ever-increasing, his mortification can never be wholly complete before he is glorified. He is to remain perpetually committed to his task. He must see sin as a sworn enemy, and commit himself to slaying it wherever and whenever it rears its head.
Our sin will never be put to death by legalism, monasticism, pietism, asceticism, pharisaism, celibacy, self-flagellation or any other external means!
The agent of mortification is the Holy Spirit!
His power is the energy that works in Christians to carry out the process!
How does mortification take place?
What is involved in the process of putting to death the sinful nature?
1. Abstain from sinful desires (fleshly lusts)
1 Pet 2:11
Rom 13:14
1 Cor 6:18
2. Fix your heart on Christ
1 John 3:2-3
2 Cor 3:18
3. Meditate on God’s Word
Josh 1:8
Ps 1:2
Ps 119:9-11
Ps 119:105
4. Pray without ceasing
Matt 26:41
Ps 19:12-14
Eph 6:18
5. Exercise self-control
Gal 5:22-23
1 Cor 9:24-27
6. Be filled with the Holy Spirit
Eph 5:18
John Owen: (about our involvement as the Spirit works in us)
He doth not so work our mortification in us as not to keep it still an act of our obedience. The Holy Ghost works in us and upon us, as we are fit to be wrought in and upon; that is so as to preserve our own liberty and free obedience. He works upon our understandings, wills, consciences, and affections, agreeably to their own natures; he works in us and with us, not against us; so that his assistance is an encouragement as to the facilitating of the work, and no occasion of neglect as to the work itself.
Php 2:12-13
Gal 5:16-18
Sin is not mortified when it is merely covered up.
Sin is not mortified when it is only internalized.
Sin is not mortified when it is exchanged for another sin.
Sin is not mortified until the conscience has been appeased.
Sin is not mortified when it is merely repressed.
Php 1:6 …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.