More specific – Putting sin to death
1. What does Paul say in Romans 8:12, 13?
1 Preliminary observations
What sort of sentence is Romans 8:13? A conditional one. The if is not an if of doubt but of connection. Put sin to death and you will live.
Who is addressed? Brothers. All Christians.
What sort of sentence is Romans 8:13? A conditional one. The if is not an if of doubt but of connection. Put sin to death and you will live.
Who is addressed? Brothers. All Christians.
2 Main observations
Negatively
Consider what you are not obliged to do.
Negatively
Consider what you are not obliged to do.
Negatively speaking, it is the duty of every professing Christian not to live according to the sinful nature.
Consider the warning added for you.
Consider the warning added for you.
It is a very clear fact, those who live according to the sinful nature will die (eternally). You may profess to be a Christian but if you go on living according to the sinful nature you will go to hell.
Positively
Observe what you are obliged to do. NB Body = Body or sinful nature Misdeeds of = Both outward and inward sins Put to death Picture language = deprive of life force. The power of sin was utterly destroyed on the cross but we must carry the work to perfection.
Observe the promise held out for you – Life. Ie the very opposite of death - not merely the essence of it but the joy and comfort it gives
Observe the method you need to employ By the Spirit
Positively
Observe what you are obliged to do. NB Body = Body or sinful nature Misdeeds of = Both outward and inward sins Put to death Picture language = deprive of life force. The power of sin was utterly destroyed on the cross but we must carry the work to perfection.
Observe the promise held out for you – Life. Ie the very opposite of death - not merely the essence of it but the joy and comfort it gives
Observe the method you need to employ By the Spirit
2. Why is this so important for me to know?
1 While we are on earth remaining sin is present, so it must always be put to death
2 Sin is both with us and active in us, struggling to do what the sinful nature desires
3 If ignored remaining sin leads to life-dominating, soul destroying sins
4 This is one of the main reasons why we have the Holy Spirit
5 Otherwise grace will wither and sin will flourish
1 While we are on earth remaining sin is present, so it must always be put to death
2 Sin is both with us and active in us, struggling to do what the sinful nature desires
3 If ignored remaining sin leads to life-dominating, soul destroying sins
4 This is one of the main reasons why we have the Holy Spirit
5 Otherwise grace will wither and sin will flourish
3. How can I put this into practice?
Not by means of
1 Asceticism 2 Perfectionism 3 The mere appearance of victory
4 A quiet temperament 5 Diverting sin 6 Occasional conquests
But seek to
1. Engage in regular self-examination
2. Get a clear and lasting sense on your mind and conscience of sin’s evil, guilt and danger
3. Pray for a new and constant desire to be released from the power of sin
4. Consider your temperament and the relationship between it and your sin
5. Analyse the occasions of your sin
6. Strike at sin's first risings
7. Centre your mind on God’s greatness and your weakness
8. Avoid excuses when you do fall into sin
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