BIBLES * Bulldogs * & Beards

“The idea of dealing radically with sin is liberally spread throughout the New Testament.” Matthew 5:29-30 - If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Break these verses down for us. Is this similar to Jesus saying, “deny yourself, take up the cross and follow me”? When the Scripture talks about the “cross”, is that a synonym for death?

Galatians 5:24 - And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. “Each of us has to learn, often the hard way, where our own personal areas of weakness lie.” Is the conflict within and putting sin to death the same for all Christians?

Colossians 2:21 - 23 - Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Does this gives us a proper way to discern legalism?

The foundation for mortifying sin. “The Colossians were being urged to crucify sin on an entirely mistaken basis.” Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. How do Christians avoid being ‘taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit’?

John Owen - “Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by ways of self-invention unto the end of a self-righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion in the world.” So Christians cannot crucify their sin by themselves? Ephesians 6:13 - Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

“The true foundation for dealing with sin is union with Christ.” Colossians 2:20 - If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations. Colossians 3:1-3 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. “We have died with Christ, been raised with Him, our life is hidden with Christ, and we will be inseparably united with Him in His coming.” So our foundation for mortifying sin is our union with Christ. What does it mean when it says “your life is hidden with Christ in God”?

“In chapter 14 we saw that our union with Christ gives us a new identity, a new dignified status, plus an entirely different way of life.” Dr Ferguson again compares it to marriage - “Just as a newly-married bride is given a new name and with it a completely new identity, that new identity is the only incentive she neds to live a life in which her affections are entirely set upon her husband.” Do you agree with his comparison? Romans 7:4 - Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. So, Christians no longer belong to ourselves? And we have a purpose.

Put sin to death. 1 John 1:8 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Are people basically good?