Mortifying

We are told by Paul to mortify, put to death, the sinful deeds of the flesh. This does not mean to punish the flesh, but it means not to allow its sinful excesses. It does not mean that we must fast and deny sleep. It means cut off sin.

Paul always told the saints to do this in light of the fact that Christ had put to death the body of sin through their new birth. Paul’s admonition is simply that we walk in what Christ has already done for us. We do not need more power to do this. We do not need to die to self to do this. All this is already done in the new birth. We are simply admonished to live out who we are in Christ.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: In the which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.

But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. (Col 3:5-10).

Paul does not mention a process here. This is just something he tells us to do. This is something we do because Christ lives in us and changes our nature. We mortify the deeds of the flesh because Christ has set us free. Seeing sin for what it is causes us to loose taste for it. The Holy Spirit shows us that all forms of immorality are uncleanness and we turn away from them.

It does not mean that we will not be tempted. We are tempted when we are led away by our own desires (James 1:14). God said He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Cor 10:13). We are told to keep our flesh under, which means to control its passions according to the will of God (1 Cor 9:24-27).

If we sin, it does not mean that we are not Christian. The prodigal son came home. He was always a son, which is why he came home. Sin does not make a son not to be a son. He will be disciplined, but he remains a son. The Father never forsakes His children. Jesus took away our sin. God’s children will always come home. They will always come out of sin.

In the whole New Testament there is not one case of someone losing their salvation. “Peter I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. And when you are restored, strengthen the brethren, feed My sheep.” (Luke 22:32). This is the case with every child of God.