Some time ago I had a very short exchange with someone regarding the Puritans and mortifying sin. He was of the opinion that the Puritans were in error in more than one doctrine, especially their emphasis on sin. I certainly differ with many of them when it comes to a Church-Israel distinction, the Millennium and other prophetic issues. But my friend added that they were in error in their identification with the “flesh” rather than in Christ.
I was rather surprised by the remark. However, I didn’t want to indulge in a protracted discussion so I didn’t pursue it. While I’m hardly an authority on the Puritans, the more I read the more I see how they do – in fact – identify as new creations in Christ. But what about the alleged Puritan obsession with sin – how does one respond to the allegation?
I think Sinclair Ferguson puts it in a biblical perspective in the following article, How to Mortify Sin. And, significantly, Ferguson writes on the subject in context to our new identity in Christ:
The aftermath of a conversation can change the way we later think of its significance.
My friend — a younger minister — sat down with me at the end of a conference in his church and said: “Before we retire tonight, just take me through the steps that are involved in helping someone mortify sin.” We sat talking about this for a little longer and then went to bed, hopefully he was feeling as blessed as I did by our conversation. I still wonder whether he was asking his question as a pastor or simply for himself — or both.
How would you best answer his question? The first thing to do is: Turn to the Scriptures. Yes, turn to John Owen (never a bad idea!), or to some other counselor dead or alive. But remember that we have not been left only to good human resources in this area. We need to be taught from “the mouth of God” so that the principles we are learning to apply carry with them both the authority of God and the promise of God to make them work.
Several passages come to mind for study: Romans 8:13; Romans 13:8–14 (Augustine’s text); 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Ephesians 4:17–5:21; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Peter 4:1–11; 1 John 2:28–3:11. Significantly, only two of these passages contain the verb “mortify” (“put to death”). Equally significantly, the context of each of these passages is broader than the single exhortation to put sin to death. As we shall see, this is an observation that turns out to be of considerable importance…keep reading
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1John 3:2-3
See also: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 8:12-13
My book reviews:
The Christian in Complete Armour – William Gurnall
Sharing is caring!
