There are two things that every believer wants above all else. 1. He wants deliverance from the guilt and curse of sin – to live to God in Christ. 2. He wants deliverance from the power and practice of sin – to walk in the Spirit.
A saving interest in, and a living union with, Christ accomplishes both. Our Lord Jesus has forever freed us from the curse of sin, being made a curse for us, and from the guilt of sin through his obedience and sacrifice. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.” “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” In Christ we have honored the law and satisfied God’s justice; we are complete and perfect in him!
Also, those believers who are “in Christ,” by grace, by the power of the Spirit, and by faith, walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit; and they do mind the things of Christ. That is, they do love the commandments, doctrines, and all things pertaining to the kingdom of their Lord. They are concerned with his glory. Their thoughts are occupied with their relationship with Christ. And their affection is set on things above, not on the things of this world.
It is a matter of being in love with and married to another (Rom. 7:1-6). “We are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that we should be married to Christ ad bring forth fruit unto God.” We are dead to the old husband who restrained us and held us captive. We are married to Christ and serve him, not under obedience to written rules and regulations, but in newness of life and love!
The forced obedience of a man under law is the obedience of a slave. The obedience of a son or a wife is the obedience of love (2 Cor. 5:14).
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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