I have a "dumb question." I've been reading John Owen's book on the mortification of sin, and in the first chapter, he said the following:
"It (the old man) is, indeed, meritoriously, and by way of example, utterly mortified and slain by the cross of Christ; and the “old man” is thence said to be “crucified with Christ,” Rom. vi. 6, and ourselves to be “dead” with him, verse 8, and really initially in regeneration, Rom. vi. 3–5, when a principle contrary to it, and destructive of it, Gal. v. 17, is planted in our hearts; but the whole work is by degrees to be carried on towards perfection all our days."
My question is in understanding the nature of the "old man." If the old man has been utterly mortified and slain by the cross of Christ, why is it that we still have to mortify it on to perfection all our days? (Obviously I practically know what he means, but I need help understanding the doctrine of the "old man")
"It (the old man) is, indeed, meritoriously, and by way of example, utterly mortified and slain by the cross of Christ; and the “old man” is thence said to be “crucified with Christ,” Rom. vi. 6, and ourselves to be “dead” with him, verse 8, and really initially in regeneration, Rom. vi. 3–5, when a principle contrary to it, and destructive of it, Gal. v. 17, is planted in our hearts; but the whole work is by degrees to be carried on towards perfection all our days."
My question is in understanding the nature of the "old man." If the old man has been utterly mortified and slain by the cross of Christ, why is it that we still have to mortify it on to perfection all our days? (Obviously I practically know what he means, but I need help understanding the doctrine of the "old man")