Do You Have An Interest In Christ? Mortification of Sin (Chapter 7)

Going back to "The Mortification of Sin," we left off in chapter 6 of this great work by Owen. Chapter 7 begins a long strand of rules that apply to the mortification of any sin in your heart. In this chapter, Owen gives some general rules for this work. By rules, Owen means things that must be true in the work itself.

The first thing that must be true of any person desiring the mortification of sin is that they need to be a believer. In my opinion, this is understood. It is inconceivable that any person outside of the faith could mortify any one sin. The reason why this is impossible is that they have not died to the enemy within. As Owen says, it is those who "are risen with Christ, verse 1; whose 'life is hid with Christ in God,' verse 3; 'who shall appear with him in glory,' verse 4. (Colossians 3)." Also,

There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.

Considering, then, the unbeliever, one may start to think that this needs to be the present work of an unbeliever. Owen disagrees. Owen thinks, "So it is in this case: sin is to be mortified, but something is to be done in the first place to enable us thereunto." In previous chapters, Owen pointed out that only those who possess the Spirit of God could mortify sin. So it is in this case, the unbeliever is not indwelt by the Holy Spirit and does not have the right weapon to combat the enemy. Owen puts it,

All attempts, then, for mortification of any lust, without an interest in Christ, are vain.

What Owen would call this man to, being perplexed by his sin and not converted, is the "work of conversion of the whole soul, and not to this or that particular lust." The soul that has no interest in Christ is in bondage to the law of sin that resides and reigns in the heart. There is no reign of grace in the heart of the unbeliever. When this person tries to get rid of this or that sin, they may have temporary success. They may quit drinking for a week or a month or so, but soon they will return to the slop. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can mortify any sin in the heart. This leads to the frustration of sinners. They desire to get rid of the disease plaguing them, but there is no interest in Christ. Soon they will give up all attempts of the things troubling their conscience. After this, the law of sin has free reign to perform its design. Owen states,

And this is the usual issue with person attempting the mortification of sin without an interest in Christ first obtained. It deludes them, hardens them,--destroys them.

It is like trying to hang a picture on a wall where the nail is weak. The picture will continually fall to the floor or even break. Without the nail in The Rock, there will be no hope to anchor the soul.

Not only must a person be a believer to mortify sin, but this work is also a work of faith. The work of mortification is the work of living men, not dead. Faith is living, causing the soul to grasp God. Those who possess the Spirit and exercise faith find encouragement in this work, rather than discouragement. They hear the Word preached and know they have an Advocate at their side. Believers do not look to themselves or their ability to bring about this work. Believers understand that this is a supernatural work and the one working for them is stronger than the enemy within. Mortification is not a work of getting rid of any one sin, but remember that believers are called to mortify all sin in the body. If an unbeliever cannot mortify one sin, how is he expected to mortify the "deeds of the flesh?" Only those who have an interest in Christ have the weapons to fight this spiritual battle.

Consider your spiritual walk; you may have full confidence in your salvation, but are you fighting the fight with faith in Christ. Is Jesus Christ your hope for salvation? Just as Israel was reminded so we are, the fight belongs to the Lord! Believers, this is not an option for your spiritual life. This is a command from the Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ (John 10). Remember that you can do nothing without Him. He is the vine you are the branches.