Mortification is the Work of the Spirit

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

John Owen on sanctification in Overcoming Sin and Temptation.

He promised of God to be given unto us to do this work. The taking away of the stony heart--that is, the stubborn, proud, rebellious, unbelieving heart--is in general the work of mortification that we treat of. Now this is still promised to be done by the Spirit, "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh" (Ezek 11:19) "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" Ezek. 36:26), and by the Spirit of God is this work wrought when all means fail "17 Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. 18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners," (Is 57:17-18).

We have all our mortification from the gift of Christ, and all the gifts of Christ are communicated to us and given us by the Spirit of Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). All communication of supplies and relief, in the beginnings, increasings, actings of any grace whatsoever, from him, are by the Spirit, by whom he alone works in and upon believers. From him we have our mortification: "God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:31); and of our repentance our mortification is no small portion. [p60]