Disability of dealing with temptations
I read the following last night, and was astounded how Owen's words 300 years ago speak so clearly to our present age in which many speak peace to those who are mortally wounded, and offer methods of healing totally incomensurate with the gospel:
The consideration of the present state and condition of the generality of professors - the visible evidences of the frame of their hearts and spirits - manifesting a great disability of dealing with temptations . . . This was seconded by an observation of some men's dangerous mistakes, who of late days have taken upon them to give directions for the mortification of sin, who, being unacquainted with the mystery of the gospel and the efficacy of the death of Christ, have anew imposed the yoke of a self-wrought-out mortification on the necks of their disciples, which neither they nor their forefathers were ever able to bear [cf. Acts 15:10]. A mortification they cry up and press, suitable to that of the gospel neither in respect of nature, subject, causes, means, nor effects; which constantly produces the deplorable issues [results] of superstition, self-righteousness, and anxiety of conscience in them who take up the burdent which is so bound for them. (Owen, John., "Overcoming Sin and Temptation." Ed. Justin Taylor and Kelly Kapic. Wheaton: Crossway. 2006 p41)
2 comments:
Umm... Graham? Could you paraphrase?
Thanks!
Sure, I'll give it a shot:
Most professing Christians are defeated by temptation, and those who try to help them defeat sin don't know the power of the cross. So the methods they advocate do not fit the gospel in any way and therefore bear bad fruit.
I think I see all of this when I look at the contemporary Christian situation.
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