Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
— Romans 5:20-21
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
— Romans 8:2
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
— Romans 7:4-11
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
— Romans 4:16
Sin’s Great Design in All to Obtain Dominion, by John Owen. The following contains Chapter One of his work, “A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace, Wherein Sin’s Reign is Discovered, In Whom It Is, And Whom It Is Not; How the Law Supports It; How Grace Delivers From It, By Setting Up Its Dominion in the Heart.” London, 1688. (Updated to Modern English).
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
— Romans 6:14
What sins are compatible with being in a state of grace, and which are not? Sin’s ultimate goal is to gain control. It has dominion over unbelievers and seeks to establish dominance over believers. Let’s explore how sin operates.
The psalmist, engaging in a prayerful conversation with God concerning sin, acknowledges that all human beings possess unfathomable errors in their conduct, surpassing human understanding. These errors manifest as daily sins of weakness that necessitate continuous cleansing and forgiveness. In Psalm 19:12, he states,”Who can understand his own errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.” However, he assumes that these transgressions can coexist with a state of grace and acceptance by God. He did not entertain the notion of attaining absolute perfection in this earthly life, nor did he believe in a condition that would not require ongoing purification and forgiveness. Hence, believers may have such sins— indeed, numerous sins—yet, when we humbly seek God for purifying and pardoning grace, these sins will neither rob us of inner peace in the present nor jeopardize our salvation in the future.
But he immediately speaks of another type of sins that, due to their nature and their effects, will undoubtedly be destructive to the souls of people wherever they exist. Verse 13 says,”Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
This is the crucial point upon which the entire state and condition of my soul depends. Although I am prone to many different types of sins, I am able to maintain my integrity and commitment to walking with God even amidst them all. And when I do fail, I am kept within reach of continuous cleansing and forgiving mercy provided to my soul by Jesus Christ. However, there is a state of life in this world where sin gains dominion over the soul, especially when one acts presumptuously. In such a state, integrity and freedom from condemning guilt cannot coexist.
Therefore, he fervently prays to be kept and protected from this state, which alone leads to eternal ruin for the souls of people.
The Apostle, in the words of the text, promises what he earnestly prays for to all believers, through the grace of Christ Jesus administered in the gospel. Both the prophet’s personal prayer and the Apostle’s promise, on behalf of God to us, demonstrate the immense importance of this matter, as we will explain shortly.
There are certain things implied or included in the apostle’s words. We must first examine them briefly, for without doing so, we cannot fully grasp the truth that is being presented. These are:
1. It is assumed that sin still remains in and resides with believers. This is the meaning of the words: “Sin which is in you shall not have dominion over you.” This implies that those who are unaware of it or do not groan to be delivered from it, like the apostle himself does (Rom. 7:24), are not truly understanding themselves or comprehending what sin is, or the essence of gospel grace. The “flesh” persists in everyone, constantly desiring contrary to the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). It clings to all the faculties of our souls, hence it is referred to as the “old man” in contrast to the renewal of our minds and faculties, known as the “new man” (Rom. 6:6; Eph. 4:24), or the “new creature” within us. There is a constant inclination of the flesh towards fulfilling its own desires (Rom. 13:14), an ongoing work and predisposition. It remains in us as a dying, weakening, and deteriorating disposition, yet it still acts in line with its nature through inclinations, movements, and desires.
Both Scripture and personal experience confirm this, and the assumption of it forms the foundation for the entire doctrine of evangelical mortification. It is widely acknowledged that this is a duty—a duty that rests upon believers throughout their lives. Without this duty, they can never properly fulfill any other duty. This is an undeniable truth, except for those who are completely blinded by atheism or those who, due to the fever of spiritual pride, have lost sight of their own wretched condition and instead indulge in dreams of absolute perfection. Our present concern, however, does not involve either of these groups.
Now, the primary target of this mortification is the sin that resides within us. It is the “flesh” that needs to be “mortified,” the “old man” that must be “crucified,” and the “lusts of the flesh” with all their corrupt desires, actions, and tendencies that need to be destroyed (Col 3:5; Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:24). Unless we firmly grasp this concept, we cannot fully comprehend the magnitude of the grace and privilege expressed in these words.
It is believed that this sin, which, in its remaining effects, continues to exist in believers to varying degrees, can exert its power over them to achieve victory and control. It is initially believed that it exercises dominion over some individuals, ruling over all unbelievers and those who are bound by the law. Furthermore, it strives to do the same in those who believe and are under grace. By affirming that sin shall not have dominion over us, it acknowledges that sin may contend for dominion, but it will not succeed or prevail. Therefore, it is described as fighting and warring within us (Romans 7:23), and as warring against our souls (1 Peter 2:11). This struggle, battle, and contention within us for dominion is the ultimate objective of all warfare, as anything that fights does so to gain power and rule.
Consequently, this is the overarching purpose of sin in all its actions. These actions vary according to the different desires in the minds of individuals, but their general aim in all cases is dominion. Whenever someone is tempted and enticed by their own desires, as the apostle James states, even if it is in a seemingly insignificant or uncommon matter, the purpose of sin is not limited to that particular temptation. Instead, its goal is to utilize it as a means to gain control over the soul. Believers should always remain vigilant against every manifestation of sin, even if the nature of these manifestations appears trivial and unlikely to reoccur. Each one of them seeks dominion and leads to destruction, which they will achieve if not hindered in their progression, as the apostle explains (James 1:14- 15). Do not believe its flattering lies: “Is it not a minor issue?” “This is the first or last time it will happen.” “It only requires a small place in your thoughts and affections.” “It won’t go any further.” Do not yield to its urgency and solicitations, and do not entertain its excuses or promises. Its aim, in every instance, is to gain power over your souls and bring about their ruin.
There are two ways in which sin generally exerts its power and seeks to achieve dominion, and these are the only two ways through which anyone can plan or obtain an unjust rule. They are deceit and force, both of which I have thoroughly described in another discussion. In relation to this, it is promised that the Lord Christ will “deliver the souls of the poor who cry out to him from deceit and violence” (Psalm 72:12–14).
These are the only two methods of acquiring an unjust dominion, and when they come together, they can have a tremendous influence that makes the struggle perilous. There are few believers who haven’t experienced this, at least in their own perception. They have been ready to say, at some point or another,”We will eventually be defeated by this enemy.” They have been compelled to cry out to Jesus Christ for help and assistance with as much urgency as the disciples did at sea when the ship was engulfed by waves, saying, “Lord, save us; we are perishing” (Matthew 8:24–26). They would continue to do so if he did not come timely to their aid (Hebrews 2:18). In this situation, the soul frequently experiences the power of Christ in his grace no less than the disciples witnessed his supreme authority when “he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
We are provided with assurance against the dominion of sin. Although it may remain in us and strive for control through deceit and force, it shall not prevail; it shall not have dominion.
This is a matter of utmost importance for us. Our souls are, and must be, under the rule of some principle or law, and our state is determined and identified by this rule. We are either “slaves to sin leading to death, or obedient to righteousness” (Romans 6:16). This is the essence of the apostle’s discourse in that entire chapter: the state of the soul, in terms of eternal life and death, is determined by the conduct and rule under which we live. If sin has dominion, we are eternally lost; if it is dethroned, we are secure. It may tempt, deceive, and entice us; it may fight, wage war, confuse, and disturb us; it may even catch us off guard and lead us into actual sin. However, if it does not have dominion over us, we are in a state of grace and acceptance with God.
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