My Year with Owen #4

I will be sharing some John Owen quotes this year. The first book I'll be reading is Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656).

Spiritually sick men cannot sweat out their distemper with working. But this is the way of men who deceive their own souls; as we shall see afterward. ~ John Owen

Why Mortification is the Work of the Spirit. It is then, the work of the Spirit. For--He is promised of God to be given unto us to do this work. ~ John Owen

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. ~ John Owen

How the Spirit Mortifies Sin. The first [question] is: How does the Spirit mortify sin? I answer, in general, three ways. 1) By causing our hearts to abound in grace and the fruits that are contrary to the flesh, and the fruits thereof and principles of them. 2) By a real physical efficiency on the root and habit of sin, for the weakening, destroying, and taking it away. 3) He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner by faith, and gives us communion with Christ in his death and fellowship in his sufferings: of the manner whereof more afterward. ~ John Owen

A soul under the power of conviction from the law is pressed to fight against sin, but has no strength for the combat. They cannot but fight, and they can never conquer; they are like men thrust on the sword of enemies on purpose to be slain. The law drives them on, and sin beats them back. ~ John Owen

Strength and comfort, and power and peace, in our walking with God, are the things of our desires. Were any of us asked seriously what it is that troubles us, we must refer it to one of these heads--either we want strength or power, vigor and life, in our obedience, in our walking with God; or we want peace, comfort, and consolation therein. Whatever it is that many befell a believer that does not belong to one of these two heads does not deserve to be mentioned in the days of our complaints. ~ John Owen

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible