Mortification and Vivication

Do you recognize those words? They are quite old and quite out of fashion. But they represent a very important and very old theological idea and practice. “Mortification” comes from the same root for the words “mortified” and “mortal.” It refers to things which are dying or which need to die. “Vivification” is the opposite. From the same root as the word “vital,” it means to come alive. 

 

The theological and spiritual practices of mortification and vivification intersect in a complex but critical transaction. What is it within us that needs to die in order that Christ might live within us? How can there be any room for the grace, mercy and love that Jesus offers us if we are consumed by greed, lust, envy, or shame, guilt and suffering? How can Christ live in our hearts if there is no room for him to take up lodging?

 

The book of 1 Peter 2:24-25 uplifts this twinning of mortification and vivification for us: “Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” Romans, chapter 6 in its opening verses does the same: “What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”

 

Part of living in the gracious light of our savior is spiritually dying to all things which are consuming our energies. The first rule of faith is letting go of whatever we are clinging to that distracts us from the new life which God is freely offering.

 

So as you read today, what practices, what distractions, what sins need to end in order that the newness of Christ might live within you? What room do you need to make for the Savior? As you answer these questions, know that you are not alone. None of us are solitary in our need to confess our sin. Nor are we solitary in our need for grace. Mortification and vivification are necessary for all of us.

 

Living and dying—spiritually dying to deadly things in order that we might spiritually live—we belong to God. And this belonging is an invitation to a life more wonderful than other types of lives we might imagine. As we move to Holy Week, we have a perfect opportunity to consider the gift that God offers us in the Christian life. Will we embrace it?