The Way of Sanctification
A Sermon on Romans 8:12-13
Originally preached May 13, 1960
Scripture
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Sermon Description
The apostle Paul often reasons with the Christians to whom he is writing. He does not merely state facts, but engages them with truths based upon the gospel so that they might understand how to live the Christian life. While Paul reminds the Romans of their condition apart from Christ, he also presents them with the truth that if they have faith in Christ, they have the Spirit to indwell them. Based upon the work of Christ, they are indeed justified before God. From here, he forces them to consider how foolish it is for them to continue to live according to the flesh. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues in this sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “The Way of Sanctification” that Paul’s admonition to mortify the flesh is based upon the logic of the gospel. In other words, as one realizes the truth about their standing with God in the gospel, they put the truth into practice and mortify the evil deeds of the flesh. In short, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this is the way of sanctification. Listen and grow in understanding of Scripture as he works meticulously through this passage and traces the doctrine of sanctification throughout the New Testament.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul teaches that sanctification comes through realizing the truth about ourselves as Christians and then putting that truth into practice.
- Sanctification does not come through passively handing things over to God or through a crisis experience. Rather, it comes through actively and continuously mortifying sin by the power of the Spirit.
- Paul argues for sanctification through logical reasoning and deduction, not through prescribing an experience. He calls us to understand what is true of us as Christians and to live accordingly.
- We are not debtors to the flesh. We owe the flesh nothing. We were once under its power but have now been freed from its dominion. We are now debtors to God and His grace.
- To live according to the flesh is illogical and inconsistent for the Christian. We are no longer in the flesh, under its control, or belonging to its realm. We now belong to the Spirit.
- Sin remains in our mortal bodies, but we are not to live for the flesh. We are to live for the Spirit, which has given us new life. Our bodies will be redeemed, so we should not be controlled by their present sinfulness.
- Living according to the flesh leads to death. As Christians, we belong to the realm of life, not death. We should not revert to the realm we have been saved from.
- Living according to the flesh grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to one another. We cannot live for both.
- When Paul says "if you live according to the flesh you will die," he is not teaching that our eternal life depends on our works. He is teaching that living according to the flesh characterizes those who are spiritually dead, not those who have been made alive in Christ.
- We are called to actively mortify the deeds of the body through the power of the Spirit. This is something we must do, not something we passively receive. Mortification must be continuous, not a one-time event.
Sermon Q&A
How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Explain Sanctification in Romans 8:12-13?
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' main point about sanctification in Romans 8:12-13?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul's teaching on sanctification in Romans 8:12-13 is not about a sudden crisis experience or "handing it all over to the risen Lord." Rather, it's a reasoned argument addressed to our understanding that calls us to actively and continuously "mortify the deeds of the body" through the Spirit. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul is appealing to our logic and reason, calling upon us to take ongoing action against sin.
What are the two popular theories of sanctification that Lloyd-Jones refutes?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two common theories he considers incorrect: 1) The "perfection" theory, which teaches that through a second experience (like the baptism of the Spirit), sin can be completely eradicated from a believer; and 2) The "counteraction" theory, which teaches that while sin remains, Christians can live the "victorious life" by ceasing their own efforts and simply handing everything over to Christ in a crisis moment.
How does Lloyd-Jones interpret "if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that this is not teaching that eternal life is contingent upon our works (which would contradict justification by faith). Rather, Paul is using a common form of speech to describe means and ends, not cause and effect. He's saying that those who characteristically live after the flesh demonstrate they belong to the realm of death, while those who mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit demonstrate they belong to life.
What arguments does Paul give for why Christians shouldn't live after the flesh?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Paul gives several arguments: 1) Christians are no longer "in the flesh" but "in the Spirit"; 2) The flesh no longer has any right over us as we're under a new jurisdiction; 3) Sin is now only a remaining problem in our mortal bodies, not our whole being; 4) Living after the flesh means reverting to the realm of death; and 5) Living after the flesh grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
How does Lloyd-Jones prove this is the consistent New Testament teaching?
Lloyd-Jones provides numerous quotations from Paul's other epistles (Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, etc.) and from other New Testament writers (James, Peter, John) to demonstrate that this active approach to sanctification is taught throughout the New Testament. In each case, believers are called to take action: "flee fornication," "cleanse yourselves," "resist the devil," "purify yourselves," etc., rather than passively waiting for an experience.
What does it mean to "mortify the deeds of the body"?
According to Lloyd-Jones, to "mortify the deeds of the body" means to put to death or throttle the sinful actions that come from our physical nature. It's an active process where believers, through the power of the Holy Spirit, continually put to death sinful desires and actions. This is not a one-time experience but an ongoing responsibility of the Christian.
How does sanctification relate to justification in Lloyd-Jones' teaching?
Lloyd-Jones is careful to maintain that while sanctification requires our active participation, it does not contribute to our justification. Eternal life remains "the gift of God" (Romans 6:23), not something earned by our mortifying the deeds of the body. Our sanctification is the logical result of our justification - because we are saved by grace, we should live accordingly.
What practical approach to Christian living does Lloyd-Jones advocate?
Lloyd-Jones advocates a practical approach where Christians: 1) Understand what is true of them in Christ; 2) Recognize the logical inconsistency of living according to the flesh; 3) Take active, ongoing steps to mortify sinful deeds through the Spirit's power; and 4) Persist in this discipline throughout the Christian life, not expecting a single crisis experience to resolve the struggle with sin.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.