Romans 7:14-17

Our Sin Nature Is Not Dead

Prepared by Dr. John E. Marshall

Romans 7:14 “For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold

under sin.”

The Law comes from God, who is Spirit, and requires spiritual power to obey, but Paul knew he was, in and of himself, carnal. This means the flesh heavily swayed him. He had zero spiritual power in his own self.

“Sold under sin” means he in his old nature was entirely submissive to loving sin. Our flesh, by nature, is “sold under sin”. Of ourselves, it is impossible to fulfill the Law’s requirements. Our minds, hearts, and actions are too heavily influenced by the old nature.

When we are born again, a new life with new desires is planted within us, but there remains inside us an old principle that is contrary to God’s will. It attacks our every effort to please God.

In everything we do, the old nature has a voice. It is a beachhead from which sin continually annoys, taunts, seduces, and hinders all of our being. Temptations are always being exerted against us that we cannot overcome on our own.

This is the downfall of many new Christians. Young converts often become discouraged because they do not realize their old nature remains within. They think conversion results in immediate victory over all sin. If they yield to a temptation, they are shocked, doubt their conversion, and often

Law Offers No Remedy

Prepared by Dr. John E. Marshall

Romans 76b . . .that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the

oldness of the letter.

Because we have a new husband, we should expect to live in a new way. Certain adjustments are essential. Newness of Spirit refers to a new way of living only the Holy Spirit can animate. Oldness of the Letter refers to trying to live only by what is transcribed, written down.

Any who try to live based on power generated by what is written will quickly fail. Law cannot provide power for victory. Law can only taunt us by revealing the seriousness of our condition without being able to cure us. It offers no remedy, yet makes us miserable by making us see how far short we fall of what we ought to be.

Law appeals to the carnal pride of people who try to live in the oldness of the letter. People want to think they are good enough to save themselves. They cling to the belief they are keeping enough of the Law to merit salvation.

The result is a deadly Pharisaism. The Pharisee of Luke 18 was extremely self-satisfied. This is the attitude that gives lost people away. They are self-sufficient, sensing no need of redemption and salvation. Unbelievers can feel quite smug about their lives. They usually view themselves as good enough to get by.

Self-interest motivates them, and dictates moral prudence. A lo