Rooted in Christ- Part 24- The Mortification of Your Members

Introduction

Last week we spoke of the fact that the believer is to live as though he were dead because of our union with Christ. We are to now allow Christ to live through us.

In the verse we will examine today, Paul gives practical instruction regarding sanctification and the process by which it is sought.

He instructs the believers in Colosse to mortify their members that they may make progress in spiritual growth towards becoming what God would have them to be.

Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, he names specific sins that must be given over to God if they are to progress towards spiritual maturity.

The instruction given is of a very specific nature. Paul tells the Colossian believers specifically what they need to do and then gives them the reasons for doing it.

You and I must do as Paul instructed the Colossian believers to do. We must...

Mortify our Members (Vs. 5)

The word mortify literally means to put to death. The instruction here speaks of the putting to death of our members, literally the physical parts of the body.

It would be difficult to understand exactly what this instruction means were it no for the list which follows. The basic intent is that the believer should no longer use his physical body to participate in those things which are contrary to the Word of God and the leadership of the Spirit of God.

Romans 6:13 KJV 1900

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

This becomes clear on the basis of the specific sins which are mentioned. Paul was well aware of the sins which plagued the Gentile nations and he did not hesitate to name them in order to challenge the believers in Colosse to holiness of life.

These same sins are still prevalent in our society today and are even still are not uncommon among those who profess to know Christ. Let us mortify our members as the Colossian believers were instructed to do, that we may cease from these sins and live holy lives.

First on the list is the sin of fornication- this is sexual sin- any satisfying of sexual desires outside of the boundaries which God designed, namely the bond of marriage.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 KJV 1900

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The next is uncleanness- this term speaks more broadly of any impurity, be it of thought or of deed. It is the polar opposite of holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Next is inordinate affection- this speaks of a lustful passion generally of a sexual nature. God has given us certain passions, but that which is spoken of here is a lustful passion once again for things outside the bounds of God’s design.

Then is evil concupiscence- this simply means evil or immoral cravings or longings. This is a deep desire for things which are contrary to the will of God.

The final two are connected- covetousness which is idolatry- most are familiar with covetousness we might call it greediness, but it literally means an insatiable desire for more, especially for more of that which has been forbidden.

Covetousness is idolatry because when we long for that which God has not chosen to give to us we essentially elevate those things above God in our lives.

We must do so because..

Sin Provokes the Wrath of God (Vs. 6)

The Christian should not allow those things which provoke God to wrath to be a part of their lives.

This sins which have been listed here are all the result of the indulgence of appetites that God has given to man only outside the boundaries which God intended for them to be satisfied.

The scripture plainly shows that these things provoke the wrath of God.

Romans 1:18 KJV 1900

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 2:5 KJV 1900

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

There is coming a day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon this world and it is because of sins like those mentioned in the previous verse that God’s wrath shall be poured out.

Romans 5:9 KJV 1900

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

We who have believed on Christ have been saved from wrath, however this is not an excuse to then engage in behaviors which provoke the wrath of God.

Ephesians 5:5–6 KJV 1900

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

This leads us naturally to the second statement that is given for no longer engaging in such thoughts and behaviors.

and because...

We Are Not What We Once Were (Vs. 7)

These things may have been a part of our lives before we came into union with Christ, but we have now been changed so that our lives should no longer be characterized by these things.

Now that we are united with Christ we should not be what we once were and this includes no longer yielding to the sinful appetites which once had us bound.

Once we all lived under the influence and bondage of these sinful appetites, but now we have been set free and we should no longer allow ourselves to be subject to them.

Ephesians 5:7–8 KJV 1900

Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

There should be a clear distinction in the life of every believer between what he once was and what he now is in Christ. This is not only an inward reality, but should be manifest in the outward activity.

Ephesians 2:1-5- But God…/ I Corinthians 6:9-11- such were some of you

Romans 6:21–22 KJV 1900

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Before we came to Christ in faith our lives were characterized by uncleanness and immorality, but now that we are united with Christ, our lives should be characterized by holiness and the fruits of the Spirit of God.

The believer who is guilty of such actions and thoughts has either failed to recognize the practical reality of his identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, or worse still is not a sincere believer in Christ at all.

Conclusion

If these things are present in your life, will you mortify your member today as the scripture instructs?

Will you leave these sins behind and allow God to transform your mind and behavior?

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV 1900

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

May we never be guilty of engaging in activities or thoughts that provoke the wrath of God, and may the fact that we are new creatures in Christ be clearly evident to those around us. May they plainly see that we are not what we once were because we are now dead to sin but alive in Christ.