What is that Parasite that Prevents Me from Beholding the Glory of Christ?

In his landmark essay on The Glory of Christ puritan John Owen provides some practical guidance in identifying what types of things impede the believer’s persistent satisfaction and delight in the glory of Christ.  I have found this particular section in the book to be most convicting and instructive. At the end of the day my issues are me; I am public enemy number 1. I need a better vision of myself; my sinful idolatry, which needs mortification (a death blow).  It is in this that I will begin to behold and enjoy the glory of Christ. It is interesting that putting sin to death will produce a longing to behold Christ’s glory and seeing Christ’s glory will compel the mortification of sin. On both accounts we are unsettled until we are comfortably reclined upon Savior with humble satisfied delight.

And it is here that Owen is so helpful:

But whatever be our attainments in this, that which obstructs this light, which hinders it from shining in a due manner, that obstructs and hinders faith in its view of the glory of Christ. And this is done by the remainders of corrupted nature in us, when they act in any prevalent degree. For they darken the mind, and weaken it in its spiritual operations. That is, where any corrupt and inordinate affections, as love of the world, cares about it, inclinations unto sensuality, or the like spiritual disorders, do prevail, faith is weakened in its spiritual acts, especially in discerning and beholding the glory of Christ.  For the mind is rendered unsteady in its inquiries after it, being continually distracted and diverted with vain thoughts and imaginations.

Persons under the power of such distemper may have the same doctrinal knowledge of the person of Christ, his office, and his grace, with other men, and the same evidence of its truth fixed on their minds; but when they endeavour a real intuition into the things themselves, all things are dark and confused unto them, from the uncertainty and instability of their own minds.

This is the sum of what I do design. We have by faith a view of the glory of Christ. This view is weak and unsteady, from the nature of faith itself, and the way of its proposal unto us as in a glass, in comparison of what by sight we shall attain unto. But, moreover, where corrupt lusts or inordinate affections are indulged unto, where they are not continually mortified, where any one sin has a  perplexing prevalence in the mind, faith will be so far weakened thereby, as that it can neither see nor meditate upon this glory of Christ in a due manner.

This is the reason why the most are so weak and unstable in the performance of this duty; yea, are almost utterly unacquainted with it. The light of faith in the minds of men being impaired, clouded, darkened, by the prevalence of unmortified lusts, it cannot make such discoveries of this glory as otherwise it would do. And this makes the preaching of Christ unto many so unprofitable as it is.

John Owen—The Glory of Christ (Christian Focus Publications, 2004), 208-209

Possibly Related posts:

1. John Owen: The Priority of Beholding the Glorious Christ
2. The Unrivaled Glory of Christ in the Gospel
3. What the Contemplation of Christ’s Glory Brings
4. How the Glory of Christ Changes Sermons and Congregations
5. The Ruin of Satan and the Glory of Christ

4 Responses to “What is that Parasite that Prevents Me from Beholding the Glory of Christ?”

1. Barry says:

   December 3, 2009 at 11:30 am

   A truly wonderful analysis. How do we continue to mortify the sin in our minds and hearts in order to have a clear vision of Christ’s glory?The life sustaining glory that the spirit within us craves.
2. Jake says:

   December 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm

   I don’t think Owens was Irish =)
3. Mike says:

   December 3, 2009 at 6:55 pm

   Erik, I fell upon your site when I performed a search for great sermons on the beatitudes by John Calvin for our home-based church bible study. I clicked on the link of your 2007 review of his book by a similar title.

   I am encouraged when I find believers today who are reformed in their theology, since “word of faith” etc are so prevalent today.

   Great site, I’ll add you to the favorites on my blog. Thank you, brother!
4. Erik says:

   December 4, 2009 at 8:52 am

   Thanks Mike…good to hear it!

   Jake, you are correct! But if you look at the skully, his hat says ‘I RSS Irish Calvinist’…