March 23, 2024 -- Colossians 3:5 -- Mortification of the flesh, in simpler terms, that is putting to death ungodly desires

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 ESV

Whenever you see a therefore in Scripture you have to ask yourself, what went there before? Well, Paul had set before the Colossians the glorious Truth that in Christ believers are raised from death to life. Believers are to focus on what Jesus has done—being punished in the place of believers, so that believers no longer bear the wrath of God against their sin. Believers are commanded to focus on Jesus’ return—it is the inspiration of believers, knowing sin and death will be no more and Jesus Himself, the Great High Priest, will present Holy Spirit perfected believers to the Father.

The question is this: why would you go back to sin? Why would you, being purified and made holy, rush back to sexual immorality? Why would you covet, that is, desire what others have, resenting what others have, when you have all things in Christ Jesus?! John Owen (1616-1683) a puritan, a theologian, an author and academic administrator in Oxford, wrote: “The vigor and power and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh”. Basically, if you want to be a strong Christian, a lively Christian, a man or woman who finds great comfort in God, then stop turning to sex, to empty things like money, or worldly fame, or popularity. Find in God your deepest and truest joy.

It is work putting to death the deeds of the flesh. It is work turning away from pornography. or from video gaming which is pornographic violence. It is constant effort to stop obscene joking and gossipy talk. But it is also, contrary to all expectation, life-giving to turn from away from any sin that is holding you down and then turning to Jesus. He is life. Jesus is hope—in Him there is freedom from the powers of sin. He is joy. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Find a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire, and ask about this. Get to a Bible-believing and Bible-preaching church tomorrow so that you can grow in your understanding of what it means to be raised with Christ.

FOR COURAGE

O SAVIOUR, Who didst set thy face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem to thy cross and passion; help us, thy weak and wavering disciples, to be firm and resolute in doing those things that lie before us. Help us to overcome difficulties and to persevere in spite of failures. When we are weary and disheartened and ready to give in, do thou fill us with fresh courage and strength, and keep us faithful to our work; for thy name’s sake. Amen.

From: DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, 1950, page 34

https://youtu.be/FgLt7jyBhc8?si=n4m5WUcFB_eDBbgI “All Glory, Laud and Honor”

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