Let us marvel at and adore the divine grace that has
provided such an Helper for us! Let us recognize and realize that we
are as truly indebted to and dependent upon the Spirit’s operations as
we are upon the Father’s electing and the Son’s redeeming us.
Though grace be wrought in the hearts of the regenerate, yet it lies
not in their power to act it. He Who imparted the grace must renew,
excite, and direct it.
Believers may employ the aids of inward discipline and rigor, and
practice outward moderation and abstinence; and while they may for
a time check 12 and suppress their evil habits, unless the Spirit puts
forth His power in them there will be no true mortification.
And how
does He operate in this particular work? In many different ways:
First, at the new birth, He gives us a new nature. Then by nourish-
ing and preserving that nature, in strengthening us with His might in
the inner man, in granting fresh supplies of grace from day to day. By
working in us a loathing of sin, a mourning over it, a turning from it.
By pressing upon us the claims of Christ, making us willing to take
up our cross and follow Him. By bringing some precept or warning to
our mind. By sealing a promise upon the heart. By moving us to pray.
Yet let it be carefully noted that our text does not say, “If the Spirit
do mortify,” or even “If the Spirit through you do mortify,” but, in-
stead, “If ye through the Spirit.” The believer is not passive in this
work, but active.
It must not be supposed that the Spirit will help us
without our concurrence, 13 as well while we are asleep as waking,
whether or not we maintain a close watch over our thoughts and
works, and exercise nothing but a slight wish or sluggish prayer for
the mortification of our sins.
Believers are required to set themselves
seriously to the task. If on the one hand we cannot discharge this duty
without the Spirit’s enablement, on the other hand He will not assist
if we be too indolent 14 to put forth earnest endeavors. Then let not the
lazy Christian imagine he will ever get the victory over his lusts.
11 province – the range of proper duties or function.
12 check – stop sharply and suddenly.
13 concurrence – cooperation.
14 indolent – habitually lazy.
The Doctrine of Mortification 7
The Spirit’s grace and power afford no license to idleness, but rath-
er call upon us to the diligent use of means and looking to Him for
His blessing upon the same.
We are expressly exhorted, “Let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God” (2Co 7:1), and that makes it plain that
the believer is not a cipher 15 in this work. The gracious operations of
the Spirit were never designed to be a substitute for the Christian’s
discharge of duty. Though His help be indispensable, yet it releases
us not from our obligations. “Little children, keep yourselves from
idols” (1Jo 5:21) emphasizes our accountability and evinces that God
requires much more than our waiting upon Him to stir us unto ac-
tion…
Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself
with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate
have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise
there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate.
They are required to improve 16 the death of Christ, to embitter sin to
them by His sufferings.
They are to use the grace received in bringing
forth the fruits of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is a task that far
transcends our feeble powers. It is only “through the Spirit” that any
of us can acceptably or effectually (in any degree) “mortify the deeds
of the body.” He it is Who presses upon us the claims of Christ: re-
minding us that inasmuch as He died for sin, we must spare no efforts
in dying to sin—striving against it (Heb 11:4), confessing it (1Jo 1:9),
forsaking it (Pro 28:13). He it is Who preserves us from giving way to
despair and encourages us to renew the conflict. He it is Who deepens
our longings after holiness and moves us to cry, “Create in me a clean
heart, O God” (Psa 51:10).
“If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body.” Mark,
my reader, the lovely balance of truth that is here so carefully pre-
served:
While the Christian’s responsibility is strictly enforced, the
honor of the Spirit is as definitely maintained, and divine grace is
magnified. Believers are the agents in this work, yet they perform it
by the strength of Another. The duty is theirs, but the success and the
glory are His. The Spirit’s operations are carried on in accordance
with the constitution that God has given us, working within and upon
us as moral agents. The same work is, in one point of view, God’s; and
in another, ours.
A Pink
provided such an Helper for us! Let us recognize and realize that we
are as truly indebted to and dependent upon the Spirit’s operations as
we are upon the Father’s electing and the Son’s redeeming us.
Though grace be wrought in the hearts of the regenerate, yet it lies
not in their power to act it. He Who imparted the grace must renew,
excite, and direct it.
Believers may employ the aids of inward discipline and rigor, and
practice outward moderation and abstinence; and while they may for
a time check 12 and suppress their evil habits, unless the Spirit puts
forth His power in them there will be no true mortification.
And how
does He operate in this particular work? In many different ways:
First, at the new birth, He gives us a new nature. Then by nourish-
ing and preserving that nature, in strengthening us with His might in
the inner man, in granting fresh supplies of grace from day to day. By
working in us a loathing of sin, a mourning over it, a turning from it.
By pressing upon us the claims of Christ, making us willing to take
up our cross and follow Him. By bringing some precept or warning to
our mind. By sealing a promise upon the heart. By moving us to pray.
Yet let it be carefully noted that our text does not say, “If the Spirit
do mortify,” or even “If the Spirit through you do mortify,” but, in-
stead, “If ye through the Spirit.” The believer is not passive in this
work, but active.
It must not be supposed that the Spirit will help us
without our concurrence, 13 as well while we are asleep as waking,
whether or not we maintain a close watch over our thoughts and
works, and exercise nothing but a slight wish or sluggish prayer for
the mortification of our sins.
Believers are required to set themselves
seriously to the task. If on the one hand we cannot discharge this duty
without the Spirit’s enablement, on the other hand He will not assist
if we be too indolent 14 to put forth earnest endeavors. Then let not the
lazy Christian imagine he will ever get the victory over his lusts.
11 province – the range of proper duties or function.
12 check – stop sharply and suddenly.
13 concurrence – cooperation.
14 indolent – habitually lazy.
The Doctrine of Mortification 7
The Spirit’s grace and power afford no license to idleness, but rath-
er call upon us to the diligent use of means and looking to Him for
His blessing upon the same.
We are expressly exhorted, “Let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God” (2Co 7:1), and that makes it plain that
the believer is not a cipher 15 in this work. The gracious operations of
the Spirit were never designed to be a substitute for the Christian’s
discharge of duty. Though His help be indispensable, yet it releases
us not from our obligations. “Little children, keep yourselves from
idols” (1Jo 5:21) emphasizes our accountability and evinces that God
requires much more than our waiting upon Him to stir us unto ac-
tion…
Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself
with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate
have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise
there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate.
They are required to improve 16 the death of Christ, to embitter sin to
them by His sufferings.
They are to use the grace received in bringing
forth the fruits of righteousness. Nevertheless, it is a task that far
transcends our feeble powers. It is only “through the Spirit” that any
of us can acceptably or effectually (in any degree) “mortify the deeds
of the body.” He it is Who presses upon us the claims of Christ: re-
minding us that inasmuch as He died for sin, we must spare no efforts
in dying to sin—striving against it (Heb 11:4), confessing it (1Jo 1:9),
forsaking it (Pro 28:13). He it is Who preserves us from giving way to
despair and encourages us to renew the conflict. He it is Who deepens
our longings after holiness and moves us to cry, “Create in me a clean
heart, O God” (Psa 51:10).
“If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body.” Mark,
my reader, the lovely balance of truth that is here so carefully pre-
served:
While the Christian’s responsibility is strictly enforced, the
honor of the Spirit is as definitely maintained, and divine grace is
magnified. Believers are the agents in this work, yet they perform it
by the strength of Another. The duty is theirs, but the success and the
glory are His. The Spirit’s operations are carried on in accordance
with the constitution that God has given us, working within and upon
us as moral agents. The same work is, in one point of view, God’s; and
in another, ours.
A Pink
