A Way Out of Sin

Annie Pliego Photography

There is a vast ocean before us. All the doctrines taught in the Scriptures, each one of them is like a drop of water in the ocean. Each one is precious. Each one is a gem. Each one has brought life to me.

Today, however, I want to give thanks to my God for one specific doctrine, one that gives God's children a way out of sin. I am grateful because God has given his children the possibility to mortify sin every day.

This is a doctrine that reaches down into my heart and pierces my soul, and enables me to walk in holiness in my home, in my kitchen, in the city, in the farm, in the office, in the school, wherever I go. 

Annie Pliego Photography

We are saved by grace, our justification is a decree from God. He makes us righteous without any merit on our part. He saves us by grace through faith. I didn't choose God; I couldn't have chosen Him simply because I was dead in my sins. But when He came and by His infinite grace He called my name, and gave me life, He set me free from the terrible and cruel hands of the Devil, the father of all sinners.

Now I am free.

Free, free indeed. Free from sin!

Isn't this wonderful news? Isn't this something that sets your feet on dancing and makes you raise your hands toward God, the great Deliverer of His people? I am so grateful, grateful for this wondrous miracle!

God has set the feet of His own people free from bondage and has set them on a new path. A path which is not always smooth. During this journey, Satan will try to make us fall, he will try to deceive us, he will promise us the world, all the satisfactions and power, if only we would bow before him and what he has to offer. But now, we are free... now we can truly say no to his schemes.

Now, because God has called us out of darkness into His admirable light, now we can by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body, so that we may live.

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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." Romans 8:12-13 ESV

Octavius Winslow said it well,

"To the flesh we owe nothing but uncompromising hatred; to Jehovah we owe undivided and supreme affection."

It is concerning this doctrine, the Mortification of our flesh, our sinful desires (Sanctification) that we are called to action.

It is here where we have no other option but to do something, to be "doers", to act. It is here where God expects us to obey, to die to self, and carry our cross.

But I am grateful, yes, I am grateful because even though this is not easy, the Lord is on our side; it is He who enables us to walk in holiness, it is He who strengthens our weary souls, and renews our strength and gives us the victory! We are indeed more than overcomers in Him who has called us!

A.W. Pink reminds us that "mortification is not optional but imperative." He continues to say:

"The imperative necessity for this work of mortification arises from the continued presence of the evil nature in the Christian. Upon his believing in Christ unto salvation he was at once delivered from the condemnation of the Divine law, and freed from the reigning power of sin; but "the flesh" was not eradicated from his being, nor were its vile propensities purged or even modified..."

"Mortification is a task to which every Christian must apply himself with prayerful diligence and resolute earnestness. The regenerate have a spiritual nature within that fits them for holy action, otherwise there would be no difference between them and the unregenerate."

I am forever grateful that God works in me day after day, He who began the good work in me will bring it to completion at the Day of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that I am in the process of becoming more like Christ every day, and that it is because of Him, because of His grace that I can press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. How glorious is this truth!

Soli Deo Gloria!

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Author's note: If you are not familiar with this doctrine, I urge you, dear reader,  to study it in depth! Some free online resources that you might helpful are these:

What is Sanctification? Rebecca has edited a great summary here.
Monergism offers a large selection of articles concerning Sanctification and Mortification.
The Practice of Mortification by Sinclair Ferguson (here)

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Diane has a special giveaway of Pink's book, The Attributes of God,

you can enter her giveaway by leaving a comment on her original post. (click here).
 

Don't forget to check our Doctrines in the Kitchen Resources Page  

and sign in for the big giveaway at the end of the month.

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