A gospel-centered mortification of sin

Chapters 7 & 8 lay out "general directions" for the mortification (killing) of sin, most important of which is the distinction between believer and non-believer, mortification and conversion. Christianity is not a system of morality. It's the good news that Jesus Christ has wrought a great salvation for us on the cross...something we couldn't do on our own. Christ, then, is our righteousness and he gives us good works through the Spirit. We used the example of a bird in flight to help illustrate this: birds don't fly in order to become birds, but because they're birds. In the same way believers mortify sin because they're believers and because God is at work in them, not in order to be made right before God (as is the case for every other world religion, philosophy, or worldview). Owen used another analogy that helps us see how belief in the gospel is the great predecessor to killing sin:

“He that has a running sore upon him, arising from an ill habit of body, contracted by indulgence and ill diet, let him apply himself with what diligence and skill he can to the cure of his sore, if he leave the general habit of his body under distempers, his labor and travail will be in vain. So will his attempts be that shall endeavor to stop a bloody issue of sin and filth in his soul, and is not equally careful of his universal spiritual temperature and health.” (Owen, p. 87)

Striking at the core issue of inner corruption in our lives through belief in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (as opposed to just trying harder to not sin by our own strength) is central to everything we'll be talking about in this series. Mortification of sin is only achievable by those who have been spiritually healed by Christ. Conversion is the first necessary work of the non-believer. After that, mortification of sin will ensue, by God's grace. Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Like I said in my last post, we'd love to hear from you guys...any thoughts you have about the current week's material, this posting, or any experiences/scripture that it makes you think of!

Chris