Who can actually perform this work of mortification? How does this particular person perform mortification? These two questions Owen answers in this chapter. Only one who has repented from their sin and trusted in Christ alone can actually do this work of mortification; Owen will prove later. This work is also done by faith.
This first proposition comes almost as a no-brainer. Of course, only believers can mortify sin. However, it is the way Owen proves this point that makes this chapter worth consideration. Owen grounds all reasons in this one statement. Now, this statement should come as a no-brainer as well, but how many times do we forget that,
There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.
Both statements find their grounding here. A person needs to be a believer (putting trust in the death of Christ for the remission of sins completely), and needs to pursue this work by faith (putting trust in this work each day for peace and spiritual life). If anyone thinks that a man without the Spirit of God can perform this spiritual work is in error. Sure, sin is to be mortified by this person without Christ, but there is a greater work that needs to be done, regeneration. In the words of Owen,
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...All attempts, then, for mortification of any lust, without an interest in Christ, are vain.
This man, who is not a believer, is merely feeling the guilt of some situation in his life. He does not desire the glory of God, but the removal of discomfort from his conscience. Is this the true work of mortification? No, this man is like the man who tries to build his house on the sand. When the rains fall, the house falls. The reason why it falls is that it is not built on the Rock.
Think about it this way. This particular man is heavy with the guilt of his sin. He "pacifies and quiets his conscience without going to the Great Physician." This leads him to a dangerous state. One, this leads to a self-righteousness that will see God's opposition rather than favor. Remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Two, when the long line of life comes about and finds that sin is, in fact, not mortified he will begin to think,
that all contending is in vain, he shall never be able to prevail; he is making a dam against water that increases on him. Hereupon he gives over...And this is the usual issue with persons attempting the mortification of sin without an interest in Christ first obtained. It deludes them, hardens them, and destroys them.
Do you see this deadly circle? The soul believes for some length of time that it is victorious. It thinks that it has done this work without Christ. Then, upon discovering the truth, it will depress the soul causing it to harden itself against the magnificent grace of Jesus Christ. Only those with an interest in Christ can mortify sin. This leads to the second point.
You believer, do you have an interest in Christ in this work? Is this work in your heart done by faith? Owen comments,
Now, if there be a work to be done that will be effected by one only instrument, it is the greatest madness for any to attempt the doing of it that does not have that instrument.
So you may be asking yourself, "So should unregenerate men "cease striving against sin, live dissolutely, give their lusts their swing, and be as bad as the worst of men?"" If the work of killing sin is not the work of an unbeliever, should they not worry about it at all? Owen has us look at it this way:
He first answers this question with a resounding NO. It is an evidence of the wisdom, goodness, grace, and love of God that men do not extend their sin to its fullest ability. God even allows the unbeliever not to pursue sin fully. Therefore, when this unregenerate man desires this work, this is an evidence of the Spirit of God at work, though maybe not the work of salvation, which is his greatest need. The Word of God has effect on all men and leads them to amazement in the things of God. Owen concludes,
I take not men from mortification, but put them upon conversion. He that shall call a man from mending a hole in the wall of his house, to quench a fire that is consuming the whole building, is not his enemy. Poor soul! it is not thy sore finger but thy hectic fever that thou art to apply thyself to the consideration of. Thou settest thyself against a particular sin, and dost not consider that thou art nothing but sin.
The need for Jesus Christ in this work cannot be overstated. Christ should be the interest of this work of mortification not only generally, but also specifically/daily. The Holy Spirit finds His work in the cross. If the Spirit is leading you to this work, He is leading you to the cross. Owen states,
To break men off particular sins, and not to break their hearts, is to deprive ourselves of advantages of dealing with them.
Remember, God has no interest in merely a part of any man's soul; He is interested in the whole soul of the man. The work of mortification is for those who have placed their ultimate trust in the death of Christ for the death of their sin, and for those who continually see their need of the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, who finds His work in the work of the cross. Remember the words of Titus 3:4-7,
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to this own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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