Mortification of Sin
A Sermon on John 1:12-13
Originally preached March 24, 1963
Scripture
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Sermon Description
“It is not so much what we are saved from, but what we are saved for.” With these words, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhorts the Christian to the mortification of sin and acknowledges that they are not under the dominion of the flesh. He goes on to describe how Christians who fight against their own flesh are no longer under its rule or reign, but rather united to Christ who has already died to sin and is alive in righteousness. In this sermon on John 1:12–13, Dr. Lloyd-Jones unpacks the intricacies behind unity with Christ and how that unity is the freedom from sin. Moreover, Dr. Lloyd Jones gives hope for the Christian who question their salvation. Do wrongdoings haunt the conscience and encourage faithful acts? Does sin continually feel cheaper until righteousness is the only worthwhile endeavor? Is there an alienation from the former life of sin and a desire to be a citizen of a life that pursues righteousness? These things illustrate a heavenly citizenship and assurance of salvation. These very truths are essential to the joy-filled Christian life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives these proofs, along with several exhortations, to live in a manner worthy of the one and only God who calls His children into His own kingdom and glory.
Sermon Breakdown
- If we are true believers in Christ, we are children of God. Nothing is more important than knowing this with certainty.
- We must know we are children of God to live and enjoy the benefits. We are passing through this world as strangers. Everything will be left behind. Only our relationship with God is certain.
- God provides ways for us to know we are His children so we can live accordingly. The New Testament focuses on assurance of our faith.
- One way to know is if we are led by the Spirit. The Spirit leads us to assurance in various ways, including mortifying sin.
- Mortifying sin involves a negative aspect (stopping sin) and a positive aspect (renewing our minds and realizing we will be like Christ). The positive aspect has general and specific parts.
- Generally, we must think spiritually, not be conformed to the world. Specifically, we must realize our position in Christ as new creatures and children of God. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God.
- We must understand we are no longer under sin’s dominion, though sin remains in us. We are freed from sin’s dominion and now serve righteousness.
- Paul uses an analogy to help us understand. Just as we once yielded our members to sin, now yield them to righteousness. Ask what benefit we had from sin; the answer is nothing. But now we have fruit in holiness and eternal life.
- We must follow Paul’s argument and reasoning. Sanctification is not just surrendering and letting God do the work. We must work out the argument and apply the doctrine.
- We must realize our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must surrender our body and its parts as instruments of righteousness.
- Those in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This does not mean rejecting natural desires but using them selfishly. We must use God’s gifts for His glory.
- We have the power to mortify sin through the Spirit. God has given us the Holy Spirit so we have no excuse. We must obey God’s commands to holiness.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Sanctification and the Mortification of Sin According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is the meaning of "mortification of sin" in Christian theology?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, mortification of sin refers to the process by which Christians put to death or kill the sinful deeds of the body. As he explains in his sermon, it involves both negative and positive aspects. The positive aspect includes thinking spiritually and understanding that "the great end and object and purpose of salvation is that we be glorified, that we be made conformable to the image of God's son." This process is described in Romans 8:13-14, where Paul writes: "If ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret Romans 6:11 about "reckoning yourself dead to sin"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that "reckoning yourself dead to sin" is not a form of positive thinking or auto-suggestion where Christians pretend there is no sin in them. Rather, it means understanding your positional relationship to sin: "What it means is that we are dead to sin in this sense, that we no longer belong to the realm and the dominion of sin." He explains that just as Christ "died unto sin once," believers have "died unto sin with him." This doesn't mean sin is completely removed from believers in this life, but that they are no longer under sin's dominion: "Though there is a remnant of sin remaining in us, we are no longer in the domain, the dominion, or under the rule of sin."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the process of sanctification in relation to reasoning?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that sanctification involves a process of reasoning and applying Christian doctrine rather than a single surrender event. He points to Romans 6 as "a most vital chapter" that is characterized by "the way in which it reasons with us and appeals to our reason." The apostle Paul doesn't simply tell believers to surrender to Christ; instead, he presents "an extended argument" about why Christians shouldn't continue in sin. Lloyd-Jones stresses that Christians must "work out that kind of argument" in their daily lives, saying: "You're not governed by your feeling... You put it all into the light of this truth about yourself, and you say, 'Now then, is that compatible with where I am now?'"
What does it mean to present your body as a living sacrifice according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that presenting your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) is not merely a general decision or "great act of surrender" but involves ongoing, practical application in all aspects of physical life. He states: "I've got to go on presenting and surrendering my body." This means surrendering each part of your body to God: "He doesn't merely say, surrender yourself unto God. He says, no, surrender your body also to God. Not only that, surrender every part and portion of your body to God." This includes the eyes, hands, feet, mind, and imagination—all your "members as instruments of righteousness unto God." The motivation for this is understanding that "your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you."
What is the difference between false asceticism and true mortification according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against "false asceticism" that condemns natural human functions and gifts as inherently sinful. He states: "The natural is never sinful. It is the misuse of the natural for selfish ends, which alone is condemned in the Bible as being sinful." Using 1 Timothy 4:1-5 as his reference, he explains that when Paul says "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24), he is not condemning God-given desires but their misuse. Lloyd-Jones clarifies: "What he means is this. The flesh there carries that meaning and connotation of a false and a wrong use of the gift of God." Therefore, true mortification is not about denying natural desires but about using them properly for God's glory rather than selfish ends.
The Book of John
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.