Mortification of Sin

Romans 8

12 So then, brothers,5 we are debtors, cnot to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you dput to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 


Romans 8 brings into light the Spirit's power in sanctifying the believer. There are two kinds of people. Those who are in the flesh and are bound for destruction (8:5-8) and those who are in the Spirit and belong to Christ (8:5-6,9). Which kind are you? There is no condemnation if you are in Christ (8:1). But yet we are still faced with the responsibility of making daily choices in regards to sin and temptation. I like verse 13's call to put to death the deeds of the body (or sinful flesh). It offers a sense of certainty, of affirmative action: put to death. This ties back to the condemnation of sin brought about by Christ in 8:3. John Owen, who's book The Mortifaction of Sin in Believers has been recently abridged and republished, says well when he says

“Be killing sin or it will be killing you. Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts. He who doth not kill sin in his way takes no steps towards his journey’s end. He who finds not opposition from it, and who sets not himself in every particular to its mortification, is at peace with it, not dying to it.”

-John Owen, Mortification of Sin in Believers

I still have not read his book, but I fully intend to read the unabridged version which can be acquired via free download here. I am struggling deep within myself, wrestling with my selfish tendencies at the core of my being. My exhortation to you, reader, comes in question form. Are you putting to death your sinful flesh?