"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the LORD would not have listened" (Ps. 66:18).
Posted : 16 Oct, 2011 03:47 PM
Devotional
The true spiritual mortification of indwelling sin and the entire forsaking of the known cause of the heart's spiritual erosion, whatever it is found to be, constitute the true elements of a believer's restoration to the joys of God's salvation. While willful sin remains unmortified in the heart, there cannot be any true, spiritual, and abiding revival of grace.
True, spiritual mortification of sin is not a surface-work. It is not merely pruning dead tendrils that hang here and there upon the branch. It is not merely lopping off outward sins. It is not merely externally observing spiritual duties. Essentially, it includes far more than this. It is laying the axe at the root of sin in the heart. It aims at nothing less than completely subjugating the principle of sin. Until this is the aim, there can be no true return of the heart to God.
Christian reader, what is the cause of your soul's secret declension? What is it that at this moment feeds upon the precious plant of grace? What is destroying its vigor, its beauty, and its fruitfulness? Is it an inordinate attachment to the creature? Mortify it. Is it the love of self? Mortify it. Is it the love of the world? Mortify it. Is it some sinful habit secretly indulged? Mortify it. It must be mortified, root as well as branch, if you would experience a thorough return to God. Even though it is as dear as your right hand or right eye, yet if it comes between your soul and God�if it crucifies Christ in you, if it weakens faith, enfeebles grace, and destroys the spirituality of the soul, rendering it barren and unfruitful�then do not rest short of its utter mortification.
Nor must you undertake this great work in your own strength. It is preeminently the fruit of God the Holy Spirit working in and blessing the efforts of the believer: "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Rom. 8:13). Note the recognition of the believer's own exertions in connection with the power of the Holy Spirit: "If you" (believers, you saints of God) "by the Spirit put to death the deeds..." It is the work of the believer himself, but the power is of the Spirit of God.
Therefore, take your discovered sin to the Spirit. That Spirit, bringing the cross of Jesus into your soul with a killing, crucifying power, giving you such a view of a Savior suffering for sin as perhaps you never had before, will in a moment lay your enemy slain at your feet.
Oh distressed soul, do not yield to despair! Are you longing for a gracious revival of God's work within you? Are you mourning in secret over your heart-declension? Have you searched and discovered the hidden cause of your decay? And is your real desire for its mortification? Then look up, and hear the consolatory words of your Lord: "I am the LORD, your healer" (Ex. 15:26). The Lord is your healer. His love can restore you. His blood can heal you. His grace can subdue your sin.
"Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips'" (Hos. 14:2, NIV). And the Lord will answer, "I will heal [your] backslidings, I will love [you] freely; for my anger is turned away from [you]" (Hos. 14:4).
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the LORD would not have listened" (Ps. 66:18).
Posted : 16 Oct, 2011 03:52 PM
Lu 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Christians do not have indwelling sin, but Calvinist believe they do so in saying they are declaring by their words they are not saved.
