mortify

"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

I believe one of the hardest issues to deal with once you become a follower of the Way is the fact that sin still co-exists in your flesh with the Spirit. How is it that we are to deal with this disease or cancer that is always making it's mark in the midst of our calling to be ambassadors of the Most High? Perhaps that's the key--"we" can't deal with it, but by God's grace through His Spirit we are able to declare war on our flesh. I've recently been going through a book I picked up entitled "The Mortification of Sin" by a Puritan author named John Owen. This book happens to be a 176 page book on this very issue dealing with the verse afore mentioned.

"Be killing sin, or it will be killing you." The more I meditate on this issue the more it begins to become more clear, yet more complicated all in the same regard. You see, it is the duty of all believers to declare war on our flesh. Make war! Think on this for a moment. It is during time of war that all senses are heightened. When you realize that the enemy is real and the threats are fatal, you tend to question each and every move--pre-meditated or planned. Wars involve strategy and planning, but it also requires vigilance and training. The battles against the flesh are won in the mind by the Spirit. In the words of Owen, "Indwelling sin always abides whilst we are in this world; therefore it is always to be mortified." We cannot escape the reality that sin will always make itself available and known through our flesh until "that which is mortal is swallowed up by life." Christ has achieved the victory of "sin" and "death" with His atoning death on the tree in my place. His righteousness has been credited to my account and my sin was credited to His account and the penalty has been paid in full based on my belief and faith that I cannot do it on my own, but need a Savior to intercede on my behalf to appease the wrath of a Holy God whose standard is nothing less than unadulterated holiness. I have a righteouseness that is not my own just as Christ conquered my sin that was not His.

Fortunately, Chirist has given us the gift of His Spirit to combat this evil force sin. It is through the Spirit that victory may be achieved in this life. It is a matter of the mind and it must be in connection with the Spirit. Sin must be destroyed at the root. For if you spend all your time worrying about specific sins or struggles, you may never get to the root of the issue.

So, brothers and sisters, I ask that you join me in this declaration of war on this entity we call sin. Put on the Spirit as we seek to be killing sin, or sin will be killing us. Stand firm!

Link to a great song that goes along with this idea:
http://rss.marshillchurch.org/~r/mhcmusic/~3/38852663/Destructor_TSF_061008PM07.mp3