Paul
here speaks of the activity of mortification (dealing with our sins) in the present
tense, a reminder that engaging in it is constant. We may wonder why the Holy
Spirit, who possesses all power, does not personally destroy the sin
immediately. Yet such a response fails to recognise that God’s way of
addressing the problem is for each Christian to deal with his own sin through
the help that the Holy Spirit graciously will provide.
What
is involved in mortification? We may suspect that something spectacular is
required before we can deal with our sins. If that were the case, we would need
to experience spectacular solutions continually! Of course, it all depends on
what we mean by spectacular. The way to mortify our sins is to use the means of
grace, especially prayer and Bible reading and Christian fellowship.
There
are some ways of responding to sins that are not mortification. For example,
sin has not been mortified if all we do is hide it from the observation of
others by covering it up. Nor has it been mortified if all that has occurred is
cessation of outward practices. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount states clearly
that heart sins have to be mortified as well as outward actions.
It
has often been pointed out that we deal with sins by starving them, by thinking
about Jesus and by repenting of our sins. Each of these aspects – starvation of
sin, focussing on Jesus, and repenting of our sins – is an essential element in
an ongoing spiritual endeavour. Their presence is incontestable evidence of a
healthy Christian life, that the person who has them is being sanctified.
What
are some of the blessings that are enjoyed because of their presence? First,
they result in a believer becoming less sinful and more Christ-like. Second,
such believers become examples to their fellow-Christians and encouragements to
them that they also can deal with their sins by mortifying them. Third, their
presence becomes a means of assurance of true conversion.
Fourth,
believers also enjoy the fellowship of the Spirit as they proceed along the
Christian pathway as he continues to lead them each step of the way. This
fellowship is partly described by Paul in subsequent verses when he refers to
the witness of the Spirit, and we will think about this tomorrow.
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