Be Killing Sin!

Week 12 of Christianity 101 | A Summary

Most of us like the idea of a decisive moment, a clear “I’m in” moment when we pray the prayer, walk the aisle, or make the commitment. We want the Christian life to feel like a single, life-changing decision we can look back on and say, “That was the day everything changed.”

Jesus, however, paints a different picture.

In Luke 9:23 He says to the crowd and to His disciples:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Not once. Not occasionally. Daily.

This is the heart of Week 12 in our Christianity 101 series: following Jesus is both a one-time decision and a daily choice. We are saved once for all by grace through faith, that great transaction is finished at the cross. But the Christian life is an ongoing walk of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

What Daily Repentance and Faith Actually Look Like

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind that produces a change of direction. It is agreeing with God about our sin, turning away from it, and turning back to Him. Faith is more than believing facts about Jesus. It is trusting Him personally today for forgiveness, strength, and guidance.

In the language of the Puritans and the Reformed tradition, this daily rhythm has two inseparable parts:

• Mortification: the continual putting to death of sin in our lives (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5).

• Vivification: being made alive to God and to righteousness (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1).

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Thomas Watson, the Puritan pastor, put it simply: “Repentance is a daily work.”

John Owen, in his great work on mortification, reminded believers that killing sin is not occasional, it is the constant business of the Christian life, done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

These are not heavy burdens we carry in our own strength. They flow directly from our union with Christ. Because we died with Him, sin’s ruling power is broken. Because we rose with Him, we have new life. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now works in us both to will and to do according to God’s good pleasure.

How God Sustains Us Day by Day

God has not left us to fight this battle alone. He gives us ordinary, reliable means of grace to strengthen daily repentance and faith:

• His Word, which exposes sin and feeds faith.

• Prayer, where we confess, cry out, and receive fresh mercy.

• The Lord’s Supper, a weekly reminder of Christ’s finished work.

• Fellowship, where brothers and sisters encourage, correct, and pray for one another.

  
  

These are not optional extras. They are the channels through which the Holy Spirit applies the death and resurrection of Jesus to our ordinary Tuesday mornings and difficult Friday evenings.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

• When anger flares up, mortification says, “I will not let this rule me,” and vivification fills the heart with the patience of Christ.

• When lust or envy tempts, mortification flees the temptation, and vivification turns the eyes to the beauty and sufficiency of Jesus.

• When pride rises, mortification humbles us, and vivification reminds us we are already fully loved and accepted in Christ.

This daily rhythm is not about perfection, it is about direction. It is the normal Christian life.

A Gentle Challenge

If you are exploring faith, Jesus is not waiting for you to clean yourself up. He invites you to come as you are. Repentance and faith are the simple door into new life.

If you are a new believer, don’t be surprised or discouraged by daily struggles. The Christian life is a daily walk. Repent quickly. Believe afresh. Use the means of grace.

If you have followed Jesus for many years, guard your heart against drifting. Complacency is the silent killer of joy. Deny yourself today. Take up your cross today. Follow Him today.

The Puritans understood that the Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction. The Savoy Declaration reminds us that repentance unto life is an evangelical grace to be preached by every minister of the gospel,because every one of us needs it every single day.

Reflection Question for You

What is one area in which the Lord is calling you to fresh repentance and faith this week? How will you use the means of grace to walk in that obedience?

If this post encouraged you, feel free to share it.

And if you’re in the Honiton area, you’re very welcome to join us Sunday mornings and evenings for our Lord’s day worship and on Tuesday evenings for Christianity 101 as we continue exploring the foundations of the faith together.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Carl