Let Not Sin Reign
A Sermon on Romans 6:12-14
Originally preached Jan. 9, 1959
Scripture
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither 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 …
Sermon Description
Let not sin therefore reign in the mortal body. Doctrine is always something to be applied, not just considered. In this sermon on Romans 6:12–14 titled “Let Not Sin Reign,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones divides Christians into two groups based on interest in doctrine verses practical matters. Is Christian doctrine simply an intellectual hobby? What is the distinction between a person and their “mortal body”? Look at the connection between mortality and corruption. Sin remains in the body and if it is not kept in check, then it will reign in the body. Sin is not dead, but the Christian must remain dead to sin. The Christian is encouraged to yield the body as a slave to righteousness and holiness and not allow sin to reign, for God provides a way out. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones give the exhortation that the Christian is called not to a sudden deliverance but to a life of sanctification. For the Christian who longs to be holy, they must understand this doctrine and continually remind themselves of it. It is the truth that sanctifies and makes one free. “It is God’s purpose to make us holy and He is working in us,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener. Resist the devil and he will indeed flee.
Sermon Breakdown
- Doctrine is always something that is to be applied. It is never to be considered as something in and of itself.
- What is stated in this practical section therefore becomes a very valuable check on our interpretation of the previous section.
- This section tells us all about ourselves as christians in our relationship to sin.
- The word therefore, introduces us to the New Testament doctrine of holiness and of sanctification.
- Sanctification is not a gift to be received.
- Sanctification is not a sudden experience of deliverance once and forever.
- The New Testament method of teaching sanctification and holiness is not a constant appeal to us to surrender.
- The New Testament teaching about sanctification is not just an appeal to us to look to the Lord, or as it is sometimes put, allow him to live his life in you.
- It is something that we have to do by drawing deductions from the doctrine we've already considered.
- If I really understand and believe that doctrine and realize what it's saying, I am bound to draw this deduction. What sort of a person ought I to be in the light of this doctrine?
- The doctrine provides us with the true motives for holiness.
- The very honor of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ is involved in this matter of my behaviour.
- If I allow sin to reign in my mortal body, I am then setting myself against the purpose of God in me and in my salvation.
- The very exhortation in the light of the doctrine that has preceded it reminds us of what is possible to us and possible for us.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.