The Right Way of Mortifying of Sin
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ for overcoming sin, rather than relying on human effort or strength.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true mortification of sin can only be achieved through faith in Christ's sacrifice, rather than relying on personal resolutions or efforts. He highlights the struggle of believers who, despite their attempts to combat sin, find themselves overwhelmed and unable to restore their communion with God. Brooks urges Christians to exercise their faith and draw strength from Christ, as it is through this divine connection that the burden of sin can be lifted. He laments that many believers fail to recognize the importance of looking to a crucified Christ for healing and victory over sin. Ultimately, he asserts that a deeper faith in Christ will lead to a greater ability to overcome sin.
Text
Those spots which a Christian finds in his own heart
can only, by a hand of faith, be washed out in the
blood of the Lamb.
Suppose that the power and prevalency of sin hinders
the soul's sweet communion with God--so that the soul
cannot sport itself, and joy and delight itself in God, as
in the days of old; it cannot see God smiling, stroking,
and speaking kindly, as in former days. Now, there is
nothing in all the world which can ease the soul of this
burden of sin, but the exercise of grace.
"Oh," says such a poor soul, "I pray--and yet I sin;
I resolve against sin--and yet I sin; I combat against
sin--and yet I am carried captive by sin; I have left
no outward means unattempted--and yet after all,
my sins are too hard for me; after all my sweating,
striving, and weeping--I am carried down the stream."
It is not our strong resolutions or purposes which
will be able to overmaster these enemies.
There is nothing now but the actings of faith upon a
crucified Christ, which will take off this burden from
the soul of man. You must make use of your graces
to draw virtue from Christ; now faith must touch the
hem of Christ's garment--or you will never be healed.
It is sad to consider how few professors in these days
have attained the right way of mortifying of sin.
They usually go out against their sins in the strength
of their own purposes, prayers, and resolutions, etc.,
and scarcely look so high as a crucified Christ; they
mind not the exercise of their faith upon Christ; and
therefore it is a righteous thing with Christ that after
all, that they should be carried captive by their sins.
Nothing eats out sin like the actings of grace; nothing
weakens and wastes the strength of sin like the exercise
of grace. Oh! did men believe more in Christ--sin would
die more!
Then He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed
you. Go in peace." Luke 8:48
Sermon Outline
- I. The Powerlessness of Human Effort
- A. Resolutions and purposes are insufficient
- B. Praying and striving do not overcome sin
- II. The Necessity of Faith in Christ
- A. Faith must act upon a crucified Christ
- B. Drawing virtue from Christ through faith
- III. The Right Way of Mortifying Sin
- A. Exercise of faith upon Christ
- B. Actings of grace weaken and waste sin's strength
Key Quotes
“Nothing eats out sin like the actings of grace; nothing weakens and wastes the strength of sin like the exercise of grace.” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh! did men believe more in Christ--sin would die more!” — Thomas Brooks
“There is nothing now but the actings of faith upon a crucified Christ, which will take off this burden from the soul of man.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- To overcome sin, you must exercise faith upon a crucified Christ, rather than relying on your own strength and purposes.
- The exercise of faith upon Christ is the key to weakening and wasting sin's strength.
- Believing more in Christ will lead to a greater victory over sin.