Colossians 3:2
Since we do sincerely seek things above, are mindful of our inheritance, and are children of the King, we must constantly put off these sinful desires that remain in our flesh. They are there, they are real, and they must be faced with honesty and truth. We must put them off and refuse to allow them to continue or control us. Paul lists some of these fleshly temptations in this chapter and tells us to mortify (put off) these things and put on the new man.
This work of mortification is not perfected at once, nor is it ever completed in this life; for so much of this body of sin and death remains in us that we must make it our daily task to put down sinful thoughts, desires, and attitudes. The Lord’s people are still very human and will have a real struggle with the old nature. However, he will give us grace and strength for every need. The very fact that we are continually exhorted in his word to mortify, crucify, and put off the old man indicates that the old man still lives, and the old, fleshly ways and thoughts must be contended with.
I suggest that the proper order in which to deal with our old man is first the heart, then the tongue, then the outward man. It cannot be reversed. “Out of the heart the mouth speaks,” and, “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” and “cleanse first that which is within, that the outside may be clean.”
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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