The Preface

Timothy Brindle’s sophomore relelase entitled “Killing Sin” is perhaps one of my favorite Holy Hip Hop albums to date. In it he explores the many struggles we face as Christians, along with the necessity of putting to death the deeds of the flesh by the power of the Spirit, as Paul originally wrote in his epistle to the Romans, chapter 8 verse 13. Brindle's motivation for writing and recording this album was a book written by puritan author John Owens entitled: “Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers; the Necessity; Nature and Means of It.” After hearing about this book from many brothers and sisters in Christ, and seeing its influence on many I respect within the Body, I decided to read an abridged version of Owens’ work entitled “The Mortification of Sin”.

John Owens begins his work explaining the reasoning behind publishing this discourse. The first reason is his concern for believers of his day (1656), who he describes are “generally at peace in the world and divided among themselves.” The other reason he gives is because of the “dangerous mistakes some have fallen into” concerning moritification, who attempt to kill sin in their own strength, “producing superstition, self-righteousness, and anxiety of conscious.” These same problems arise not only in the 17^th century, but right now in the present-day church. Motivational speakers disguised as pastors create self-help schemes that may mention scripture (usually out of context) promising prosperity, freedom from pain and suffering, a new car, a new home, a perfect family, and limitless resources all for accepting Jesus into their life. Sounds like a good deal doesn’t it? And yes, salvation is a good deal! The gospel is the best news that anyone has to offer! But these preachers make no mention of righteousness, holiness, suffering in Christ for the sake of the elect, submission, servitude, no one is exorted to count the cost but everyone is promised the rewards, because of course Jesus became poor so that we would be made rich!

2 Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

And yes, that is in the Bible, but 2 Corinthians 8:9 was not talking about a Jesus that would grant our every wish like a genie in a bottle. Paul was speaking about a God who loved us enough to send His Son down to earth in the form of a man, in order to suffer, become poor in every way imaginable, leave a perfect example and give the ultimate sacrifice: laying down His very life. He did so that those who the Father gives Him and receive this sacrifice would one day be rich in spirit, in power, in authority and yes even in possession, both in this life and the next. God planned all of this to conform us to His image, making us perfect and complete, without spot or blemish - holy as He is holy. We have a part to play in this process, which is biblically called sanctification, and that is to die daily to our flesh, placing it under subjection and killing it by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the words of Timothy Brindle – Let’s Kill Sin!