Chapter VI: The Practical Observations Drawn from, and Application Made of, the Whole Text

it. This is the work of grace, of the gospel. In the gospel, Christ is revealed, presented, and exhibited to us, and through it, we partake in him and all the benefits of his mediation. He alone is the one who came to destroy the devil's work. The dominion of sin is the culmination of the devil's deeds, where all his intentions converge.

This is what "the Son of God was revealed to destroy." He alone dismantles the kingdom of Satan, whose power is manifested in the reign of sin. Therefore, our assurance of this comforting truth primarily rests on this foundation. And what Christ has done and continues to do for this purpose is a significant aspect of the message revealed in the gospel.

The same can be said about the impartation of the Holy Spirit, who is the primary and effective cause of destroying the dominion of sin.

For "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," and nowhere else. However, we receive this Spirit not "by the works of the law," but "by hearing with faith," as stated in Galatians 3:2.

CHAPTER VI

The Practical Observations Drawn from, and Application Made of, the Whole Text Having explained the words and drawn some insights from them, I will now present one or two observations based on their purpose and conclude with an application.

Observation 1: Being delivered from the dominion of sin is an immeasurable mercy and privilege. This is how the apostle presents it, and this is how believers perceive it. To a soul engaged in the struggle against sin and temptation, there is nothing more gratifying, precious, and valuable than hearing that sin will not have dominion over them. Oh, how some would long to hear this proclaimed with power, so they could firmly believe it and find comfort in it! "Fools mock sin," and some take pride in serving it, which is disgraceful.

However, those who truly understand the present and future realities know that freedom from the dominion of sin is an invaluable mercy.

Let us consider the grounds that demonstrate its worth.

Firstly, its value is evident from its causes. It is something no one can achieve by their own strength and efforts alone. A person may acquire wealth, wisdom, or knowledge through their own endeavours, but they cannot rid themselves of the yoke of sin by these means. Even if someone possessed all the riches in the world, they could not purchase this liberty; it would be worthless. When sinners depart from this world and enter the place of torment, they would gladly give up all they had, if they possessed anything, for a share in this liberty.

It is something that the law and all its obligations cannot secure. As we have explained, the law and its duties can never overthrow the dominion of sin. Anyone who experiences true conviction will discover the truth of this. When sin weighs heavily upon them and they fear its consequences, they will find that the law is weak, their flesh is weak, their duties are weak, and their resolutions and vows are weak—insufficient to provide relief. Even if they think they are freed one day, they will find themselves in bondage the next. Despite all this, sin will continue to rule over them with force and severity.

Some spend their entire lives in this condition. They ignite their own sparks and walk in their light, only to eventually lie down in darkness and sorrow. They sin and promise to change, seeking to compensate through various duties, yet they can never free themselves from the yoke of sin. Therefore, we can learn about the excellence of this privilege, firstly, from its causes, of which I will mention a few:

1. The meritorious and procuring cause of this liberty is the death and blood of Jesus Christ. This is proclaimed in 1 Peter 1:18-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23. Nothing else could purchase this freedom. We were under the power and dominion of sin and could not be delivered without a ransom. Christ died, rose again, and revived so that He might be our Lord (Romans 14:9) and

deliver us from the power of all other lords. It is true that no ransom was owed to sin or Satan, who is its author. They are to be dethroned or destroyed by an act of power. Both the devil and sin, his work, are to be "destroyed" (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8), not appeased. However, "the strength of sin is the law" (1

Corinthians 15:56), meaning that through the righteous judgment of God, we were held by the law, liable to the condemning power of sin. We could only be delivered from that law through this price and ransom. From this, two things follow:

(1.) Those who continue to live in sin, willingly serving it and submitting to its dominion, show the utmost disregard for the wisdom, love, and grace of Christ. They belittle the great cost at which Christ obtained our liberty; they consider His sacrifice of His precious blood to be a foolish trade-off. Whatever it may be, they prioritise the temporary satisfaction of their desires over it. This attitude stems from the poison of unbelief, revealing a deep contempt for the wisdom and love of Christ. Those who live in sin convey through their hearts that the liberty He purchased with His blood is not valuable or esteemed. They may flatter Him with their words through outward religious acts, but in their hearts, they despise both Christ and the entire work of His mediation. However, the time is approaching when they will learn the stark contrast between the slavery of sin and the freedom that Christ offers to believers. This is what is now presented to sinners in the dispensation of the gospel. Life and death are set before you; choose life so that you may live forever.

(2.) For believers, in all their struggles with sin, let them live in the exercise of faith regarding this purchased liberty secured by the blood of Christ. Two things will result from this: [1.] They will constantly possess a weighty argument to counter the deceit and force of sin. The soul will remind itself, "Shall I relinquish and let go of what Christ acquired for me at such a high cost by succumbing to the enticements of lust or sin? Shall I despise His purchase? God forbid!" See Romans 6:2. Such reasoning frequently safeguards the

mind from succumbing to the allurements and temptations of sin.

[2.] It is an effective argument for faith to employ when pleading for deliverance from the power of sin. We ask for nothing more than what Christ has already purchased for us, and if we persist with this plea, it will be prevailing.

2. The Holy Spirit Himself is the internal efficient cause of this liberty, which further demonstrates the greatness of this mercy.

Every act aimed at the mortification of sin is just as directly from Him as the positive graces that sanctify us. It is "through the Spirit" that we "put to death the deeds of the body," as stated in Romans 8:13. Wherever He is, there, and only there, is true freedom. Any attempts to mortify sin without His special help and workings are in vain. This reveals the extent of sin's dominion in the world. The very One who can destroy it, along with all His powerful operations, is generally despised.

Consequently, those who despise Him will live and die as slaves to sin. Therefore, a significant part of our wisdom in attaining and preserving this freedom lies in exercising faith in the promise of our Saviour that our heavenly Father will "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." When sin, in any instance or through any temptation, seeks power and control over us, we may initially turn to ourselves and rely on our resolutions, which have their place and should not be disregarded. However, we will find our greatest relief in immediate cries to God for the supply of His Spirit, without whom sin cannot be subdued. Keep this in mind, put it to the test on the next occasion, and God will bless it with success.

3. The duty of believers themselves is the instrumental cause of this freedom, which also reveals the significance of this privilege. This is one of the primary purposes of all our religious duties, including prayer, fasting, meditation, and watchfulness in obedience. They are all designed to prevent and destroy the influence of sin within us. We are called to enter a theatre to fight and contend, to enter a field where we will be tested in

warfare. Our enemy is sin, which strives and competes for control over us. We are to resist it even to the point of shedding our blood, meaning we are to give our utmost effort in both action and endurance. Surely, that which is appointed by God and commanded as the great purpose of our lifelong endeavours is of the highest importance in itself and to us.

Secondly, It is evident that the deliverance from the dominion of sin is a great mercy when we consider the bondage from which we are set free. Human nature naturally revolts against bondage, unless it has been degraded and corrupted by sensual desires. Throughout history, people of noble spirits have chosen death over becoming slaves. However, there is no bondage worse than being under the rule of sin. To be under the control of base lusts such as greed, impurity, drunkenness, ambition, pride, and others, and to seek their fulfilment in the desires of the mind and flesh, is the most wretched form of slavery.

Yet, we can say whatever we want on this matter; none consider themselves as free or project an appearance of greater freedom than those who openly serve sin. If those who do as they please, who are mostly applauded for their actions, who scorn their enemies and look down upon those who do not indulge in the same excesses, are not considered free, then who can be? They argue, like the Pharisees, that they alone are truly free and have never been enslaved to anyone! They utterly despise the restraining fear of divine judgment and future accountability! Read the description in Psalm 73:4–11.

Who is as free and joyous as such individuals? As for others, they are plagued all day long and chastened every morning, as stated in verse

14. They bear the burden of this oppressive enemy and cry out continually for deliverance.

However, this observation does not in any way undermine the truth being emphasized. One significant aspect of the slavery of such individuals is that they are unaware of their own bondage and proudly proclaim their freedom. They are born in a state of enmity

with God and under the bondage of sin, and they find satisfaction in it, just as abject slaves do under the cruelest tyrants—they know no better. True freedom consists of inner peace, tranquillity of mind, and desires and inclinations towards the highest and noblest aspects of our rational souls. All these are foreign to those who spend their lives in the service of vile and base lusts. Do not envy their ostentation, their glittering appearances, their accumulations of wealth and treasures; they are, in essence, despicable and contemptible slaves. The apostle accurately describes their situation in Romans 6:17. It is a matter of eternal gratitude to God that we have been delivered from being "slaves to sin."

Yes, it is an evidence of grace and a good spiritual state when a soul truly recognises the excellence of this freedom, when it perceives the power and influence of sin to be weakened to the extent that it can rejoice in it and be thankful to God for it (Romans 7:25).

Thirdly, this is also true regarding the outcome of this bondage, or what it leads people to. If, after all the lowly servitude that sinful individuals endure in the service of their lusts, if, despite the inner conflicts they experience with fears and terrors in the world, they could anticipate any future reward, something might be said to alleviate their present misery. However, "the wages of sin is death"— eternal death under the wrath of the Almighty God is all they can expect. The ultimate consequence of the dominion of sin is to deliver them to the curse of the law and the power of the devil for eternity.

Fourthly, it prevents individuals from partaking in any genuine good, both in the present and the future. Whatever enjoyment those under the power of sin may have will quickly prove to be worthless. In the meantime, they have no taste of God's love, which alone can remove the poison from their pleasures. They have no glimpse of the glory of Christ, living in perpetual darkness as if they have never beheld light or the sun. They have no experience of the sweetness and excellence of the gracious influences of life, strength, and comfort from the Holy

Spirit, nor do they know the satisfaction and reward found in holy obedience. They will never come to the enjoyment of God.

All of these points, along with several others of a similar nature, could be further elaborated upon to demonstrate the magnitude of the mercy and privilege that comes with freedom from the dominion of sin, as presented by the apostle. However, the primary objective I had in mind has been accomplished, and I will only briefly touch on these matters.

I will now present one final observation, concluding this discourse:

Observation 2: It is of utmost importance for a soul engaged in a struggle against the power of sin to ensure that it does not fall under its dominion, to eliminate any uncertainty in the mind. To affirm the truth of this, we can observe the following:

Firstly, the conflict with sin, which necessitates ongoing repentance and mortification, will persist as long as we are in this world. Claims of perfection in this life contradict the Scriptures, contradict the universal experience of all believers, and contradict the inner sense and conscience of those who make such claims, as they demonstrate on a daily basis. We pray against sin, strive against it, and long for deliverance from it, by the grace of Christ healing our nature, and not without success. However, this success does not entail its complete eradication while we are still in this world. It will remain within us until the union of our soul and body, in which it has taken root, is dissolved. This is our destiny and our portion, resulting from our turning away from God and the corruption of our nature caused by it.

You may ask, "What purpose does the gospel and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ serve in this case, if it cannot deliver us from sin?"

My response is that it provides us with fourfold relief, which effectively amounts to a continual deliverance, even though sin will remain within us while we are in this world:

1. It is ordained in such a way that the presence of sin in us becomes the basis, reason, and occasion for the exercise of all grace, as well as for illuminating the beauty of our obedience.

Certain exceptional virtues, like repentance and mortification, would have no opportunity for expression if it were otherwise.

And while we are in this world, there is a loveliness in these virtues that outweighs the evil of lingering sin. Moreover, the difficulty imposed on our obedience, which constantly demands the exercise and development of all grace, enhances its value.

This is the source of humility and surrender to the will of God. It kindles our love and longing for the fellowship with Christ, elevating the excellence of his mediation. Thus, the apostle, upon considering this, bursts into an exclamation of gratitude, saying, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans

7:25) It sweetens our anticipation of future rest and reward.

Therefore, our continued existence in this state and condition in this world—a state of spiritual warfare—is what is best for us and perfectly aligned with divine wisdom, considering the role and concern of our Lord Jesus Christ for our deliverance. Let us not complain, grow disheartened, or falter, but instead proceed with Christian fortitude until the end, and we shall achieve success because...

2. By the grace of Christ, believers are granted supplies and aids of spiritual strength, ensuring that sin will never progress further in them than what is necessary for the exercise of their virtues.

Sin will never have its way or dominion over them, as we have previously explained.

3. The gospel administers mercy for the forgiveness of all that is inherently evil or has any negative effects. "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The pardoning mercy, in accordance with the covenant, always disarms sin of its condemning power in believers, so that despite its utmost efforts, "being justified by faith, they have peace with God."

4. There will come a time, through the grace of Christ, when sin will be completely abolished—at death, when our journey of obedience is completed.

Therefore, it is not a discredit to the grace of Christ, which offers such a blessed deliverance from sin, to affirm that this sin, and hence the struggle with it, remains in believers while they are in this world.

Furthermore, there are two types of conflict with and against sin.

One occurs in the unregenerate, characterized by the rebellion of conscience and understanding against the dominion of sin in various instances. Although sin may reign in the will and affections, the knowledge of good and evil, prompted by eternal hopes and fears, will resist it, leading to the performance of certain duties and abstinence from sin. However, this conflict can exist while sin still reigns, deceiving individuals into thinking it arises from the rule of grace when it actually stems from the rebellion of light and an unawakened conscience. On the other hand, there is a conflict with sin where grace rules and reigns. Even though grace has sovereignty over the mind and heart, the remnants of sin, especially in the corrupt affections, continuously rebel against it. Now, it is crucial for everyone to determine the nature of their own conflict with sin. If it belongs to the first type, they may still be under the dominion of sin; if it falls into the latter category, they are freed from it. Therefore, while the mind remains uncertain and undecided in this matter, it will be troubled by various negative consequences. I will mention some of them:— Such a soul cannot experience true peace because it lacks certainty about its state. 2. It cannot find comfort in gospel consolations in any condition, as its justified fears of sin's dominion will undermine them. 3. It will become lifeless and mechanical in its duties, lacking spiritual courage and joy, which will eventually lead to weariness.

Consequently, 4. All grace, particularly faith, will continually be weakened and diminished in this state. 5. The fear of death will keep the soul in bondage. Therefore, it is crucial to have this issue

properly addressed and resolved in our minds, and if the preceding discussions can contribute anything towards that, it will have fulfilled their intended purpose.

Now, I will provide a few directions on how to counteract and prevent sin from gaining such prevalence as to render the question of its rule uncertain in the mind. While many directions could be given,

I will offer just a few:

1. The primary rule for preventing the growth and power of sinful habits is to be vigilant against their beginnings. Sin does not attempt dominion all at once, but rather through specific instances and particular lusts. Therefore, if any sin or corrupt desire begins to establish a predominant influence in the mind and affections, it must be vigorously confronted with mortification. Otherwise, it will disrupt the peace and potentially endanger the soul. One can easily detect this by maintaining diligent self-observation of the heart and actions.

No sin gains complete control of the mind and affections without being promoted by natural inclinations, circumstances, temptations, or neglect that has strengthened unhealthy inclinations. However, those who are mindful of their soul's well-being can readily discern these factors.

The strict command given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ to "be watchful" and the wise instruction to "guard our hearts above all else" are particularly relevant to these beginnings of sin's power over us. As soon as we discover its alignment or association with any of these means by which it gains strength, if we do not oppose it with resolute and diligent mortification, it will progress according to the process described in James 1:14, 15.

Those who seek wisdom must make it familiar to their minds through constant and open interaction with it. They must regard wisdom as a sister and understanding as a close relative (Prov. 7:4).

In doing so, wisdom will exert its influence on their minds. However,

if we allow sin, through any of the mentioned advantages, to become familiar to our minds—if we do not immediately say to it, "Depart from me," at the first sign of its attempt to gain power over us—it will vigorously contend for the throne.

2. Carefully examine and evaluate whether the things you may do or approve of in yourselves contribute to the power of sin and aid its rule over you. David prescribes this approach in Psalm

19:12, 13. "Hidden sins," those that may not be recognized as sins by ourselves, can pave the way for "presumptuous" sins.

Pride may appear to be nothing more than a mindset associated with our wealth and status, or our abilities and talents.

Sensuality may seem to be a lawful indulgence in the pleasures of life. Anger and irritability may be viewed as a just response to the perceived lack of respect we believe we deserve.

Covetousness may be seen as a necessary concern for ourselves and our families. If the seeds of sin are covered by such justifications, they will eventually sprout and yield bitter fruits in the thoughts and actions of individuals. Moreover, all apostasy, whether in religion or morality, begins with such justifications. People argue that they can engage in certain actions lawfully, until they openly engage in unlawful deeds.

3. Keep your hearts always tender under the word. This is the true and only state of inconsistency with and opposition to the rule of sin. The loss of this tenderness or a decline in it is what has allowed sin to flood in among us. When this disposition is present, a conscientious fear of sinning will always prevail in the soul. When it is lost, people will boldly engage in all sorts of foolishness. To preserve this disposition, the following is required: (1) Cast out all corrupt habits of mind that are contrary to it (James 1:21). (2) Maintain an experiential awareness of its power and effectiveness on our souls (1 Pet. 2:1–3). (3) Abandon all prejudices against those who dispense the word (Gal. 4:16).

(4) Keep the heart constantly humble, as it is in this disposition alone that it is teachable (Ps. 25:9); everything in preaching the

word opposes and displeases the minds of proud individuals. (5) Pray for a blessing on the ministry, as it is the best preparation for receiving benefit from it.

4. Detest the peace of mind that coexists with any known sin.

People may occasionally fall into known sins, but if, while in that state, they reject all inward peace except that which arises from fervent and genuine desires for deliverance from those sins and repentance for them, they may be protected from the dominion of sin. However, if individuals can maintain a sense of peace in their minds while living in any known sin based on hopes, presumptions, or resolutions, they are close to the territory where sin reigns.

5. Continuously turn to the Lord Christ in all the aspects of his mediation to overcome sin, especially when it seeks to gain dominion over you (Heb. 4:16). This is the essence and core of all directions in this matter, which do not need further elaboration here, as they have been frequently addressed.

Lastly, remember that recognizing and appreciating our deliverance from the rule of sin is the most powerful motivation for living a life of obedience and holiness. The apostle Paul presents and emphasises this point in Romans 6.

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