KILL SIN!

I began reading "the Mortification of Sin" by John Owen today after a lovely trip to evangelical bookstore (everyone should go there!). I have been wanting to read this book forever now, but seriously God's timing is perfecto!

You may or may not be aware, but I am horribly the opposite of perfect. And as I studied through Hebrews this summer and 1 and 2 Corinthians and 1 Peter and Colossians and now through Romans again I am continually challenged to put the supremacy of Christ on display in my life and FIGHT the good fight. To battle off the old man and his characteristics and be renewed day by day!

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16

Yet, the not losing heart part is incredibly difficult sometimes. But the fact of the matter is it is worth it to do battle for holiness. It is worth it to mortify sin and LIVE. (Rom 8:13) :)
So this book is incredibly challenging because it essentially questions the way I view sin in my life. The fatal weight that I associate my sin with and/or fail to do so and compromise. Yeah..

Some may ask, why go there? Why try to overcome sin in a sinful world? Why focus on sin so much and not grace? Believe me, I LIVE by grace. I breath by grace, pray by grace, read by grace.. But having a proper view of sin equates with a proper view of grace, of mercy and a much deeeeeeeeeeper appreciation for the Gospel, for God's Holy forgiveness, for true repentance and basically all things pertaining to salvation including grace.

The more important question is, if I genuinely and TRULY believe the Gospel truth, the richness of Christ's mercy, the unparalleled love displayed on the cross-- why am I soo comfortable with sin in my life? Why am I so quick to be judgmental, full if pride? Why is my day all about ME! Why am I so vain, materialistic, self-centered and grumpy?
why isn't the beliefs I hold intellectually and even experientially, calculated and appropriately visible in my ACTIONS?

I need to properly view sin and HATE it deeply.I need wage war on the old man and actively seek day by day renewal of my mind and walk in the Spirit.

Lord, have mercy on me.

Here's some awesome quotes:

"Be killing sin or it will be killing you." (Owen, pg 26)

"When sin lets us alone, we let sin alone: but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigorous at all times, in all conditions, even when there is least suspicion." (Owen, pg 28)

"If sin be subtle, watchful, strong and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we be slothful, negligent, foolish, in proceeding to the ruin thereof, can we expect a comfortable event?" (Owen, pg 29)

8 Ways to KILL SIN (Taken from a sermon available here):

1. Fear the LORD Prov 16:6
2.Walk in step with the Spirit Gal 5:16
3. Read& Meditate in His WORD Ps 119:11
4.OBEY God's Word Ps 119:9
5.Pray to God Matt 26:41
6. Make no provision for the flesh Rom 13:14
7.Exercise self control Prov 25:28
8.Confess your sin to God 1 Jn 1:9

In Conclusion, CHERISH CHRIST