Mortification of Sin (Reformed Baptist Perspective)

Definition:

The mortification of sin refers to the intentional, ongoing process by which a believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, actively resists, suppresses, and puts to death the power and practice of sin in their life. This term is deeply rooted in biblical teaching and was emphasized by Reformed theologians, particularly John Owen. Mortification involves the believer’s struggle against sin, seeking to live in holiness and conformity to Christ, while recognizing the ongoing presence of sin within.

Key Biblical References:

• Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
• Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
• Galatians 5:24 – “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
• Romans 6:11 – “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Key Concepts in Mortification of Sin:

1. The Necessity of Mortification: Sin remains a powerful presence in the life of the believer, even after conversion. The Bible teaches that believers must actively put to death sinful desires and behaviors that oppose God's holiness. Mortification is not optional for the believer; it is a command to live in practical holiness and to resist sin.

   • Romans 6:12-13 – “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Mortification is not merely a human effort or self-discipline; it is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. The believer, by the power of the Holy Spirit, actively works to put sin to death, relying on God’s strength rather than their own.

   • Romans 8:13 – “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” This emphasizes the role of the Spirit in empowering the believer to overcome sin.

3. Active Participation of the Believer: While mortification is a work of the Spirit, the believer is not passive. The command to “put to death” suggests active involvement. It involves making deliberate choices to resist temptation, avoiding sin, and fleeing from anything that would stir sinful desires.

   • Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…” This is an active imperative to engage in the fight against sin.
   • James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Resistance to sin requires active submission to God.

4. The Indwelling Presence of Sin: Even though believers are justified and declared righteous in Christ, they still wrestle with sin in their daily lives. Mortification recognizes the reality that sin remains in the believer’s life, and the process of sanctification involves an ongoing battle against it.

   • Romans 7:23-24 – “But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

5. The Importance of Self-Denial: Mortification involves denying oneself and choosing to follow Christ, even when it means suffering or rejecting earthly desires and comforts. It is a daily commitment to live for Christ, seeking His glory above personal desires.

   • Luke 9:23 – “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

6. A Continuous Process: Mortification is not a one-time event but a continuous battle. It involves daily awareness of one’s own sinful tendencies and ongoing submission to God. As the believer matures in their faith, the process of mortification becomes more focused on the deeper, more subtle sins of the heart.

   • 1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

Theological Understanding of Mortification:

1. Union with Christ: Mortification flows from the believer’s union with Christ. Christ died for sin, and in Him, the believer is called to reckon themselves dead to sin as well (Romans 6:11). Mortification is an expression of living out the implications of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.

   • Romans 6:5-6 – “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”

2. Christ’s Example: Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of self-denial and mortification of sin. His life was one of perfect obedience and submission to the Father’s will, even to the point of death on the cross.

   • Hebrews 12:2-3 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

3. Sanctification: Mortification is a crucial aspect of sanctification—the process by which the believer is conformed to the image of Christ. As the believer mortifies sin, they are progressively transformed into Christ’s likeness.

   • Philippians 3:12-14 – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The Importance of Mortification in the Christian Life:

1. Fighting Sin’s Power: Mortification is essential in breaking sin's power over the believer. Sin may no longer dominate the believer's life, but it continues to exert influence, and mortification is the means by which the believer resists it.

2. Growth in Holiness: Mortification contributes to the believer’s sanctification, helping them grow in holiness and become more like Christ in their thoughts, desires, and actions.

3. Glorifying God: The purpose of mortification is to glorify God by living in obedience to His commands and reflecting His holiness in the believer’s life.

John Owen’s Teaching on Mortification:

John Owen, in his famous work The Mortification of Sin, argues that believers must be proactive in the battle against sin. He stresses that sin is always dangerous and that believers must not grow complacent. Owen teaches that mortification is a continual, inward battle that requires both the use of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit. He writes, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Owen emphasizes that true mortification involves the total subjugation of sinful desires through the strength that comes from God.

Conclusion:

The mortification of sin is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, particularly from a Reformed Baptist perspective. It is not a passive endeavor but an active, ongoing process empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to put sin to death by actively resisting temptation and living in holiness, all the while relying on God’s grace and the finished work of Christ. Mortification is essential for spiritual growth, sanctification, and the glorification of God.

Sources for Further Study:

• John Owen, The Mortification of Sin – A foundational work on the nature and practice of mortifying sin.
• R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God – Explores the call to holiness and the serious nature of sin in the life of a believer.
• J.I. Packer, Concise Theology – Provides clear and accessible insights on the process of sanctification and mortification.
• Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology – A comprehensive study of sin, sanctification, and mortification from a Reformed perspective.