Romans Chapter 7

[mark54]

we are not told. but paul, as saul, maybe even had a hand in crucifying Christ. we know he was there when steven was stoned to death, and was all for it.. he thought he was doing Gods work.. as many people think they are by judging others instead of loving them.

Absolutely EG

 

[mark54]

Romans 7 Understood



THE PATRISTIC INTERPRETATION of ROMANS 7:14-25 — The early church did not understand Rom 7:14-25 to teach the necessity of sin in believers

No writer before the fourth century assigned the traditional Present day understanding of Romans 7:14-25.
The early church did not understand Rom 7:14-25 to teach the necessity of sin in believers. Search them if you will, you CANNOT find anyone before Augustine who held that Rom7 was speaking of true follower of Christ.

THE PATRISTIC INTERPRETATION of ROMANS 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I (Rom 7:14-15).

Perhaps no other verses have been the subject of such intense debate as the above passage. To the Present day Church this passage represents a never-ending struggle with sin which will inevitably end in failure until the day one dies, because of the fallacy of Original Sin. But For the Real Christian it represents the life of spiritual struggle (before conversion) that God wants to deliver mankind from via the experience of regeneration.

While the best way to interpret a passage will always be to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture there is also much to be gained by studying the ways that the early Christians who followed in the footsteps of the Apostles interpreted a passage. It will be the purpose of this article to examine the ancient Christian interpretation of Romans chapter seven. This paper incorporates information from A Dissertation Of The True And Genuine Sense Of The Seventh Chapter Of St. Paul’s Epistle To The Romans. An extensive search of Christian literature up until the fifth century revealed that prior to the fourth century no known Christian writer interpreted Romans seven in a the presend day manner. Rather, it was always understood up until that time to be either an unbeliever.

Throughout this paper I have focused only on those writers who commented directly upon Romans 7. There is a good amount of indirect testimony to this subject in the form of statements which indicate that various early Christian writers understood the Christian experience to be one that entailed complete victory over sin. These quotes have been left out for brevity sake but if included would add even more weight to the conclusion that no writer before the fourth century assigned the traditional Calvinistic interpretation to this passage.

The earliest existing writer to comment directly upon this passage was Irenaeus of Lyons (120-202) in the second century. In Against Heresies he connected Paul’s statement “that there dwells in my flesh no good thing” as typical of human infirmity which Jesus came to deliver men from [3:20:33]. In commenting upon the parable of the two sons in which one represented the repentant sinners of Jesus’ day, the other the unrepentant Pharisees (Matt 21:28-32) Irenaeus described the Pharisees using Romans 7 [4:36:8].

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.220), a North African Christian teacher, in Stromata, a refutation of Gnosticism, indicated his belief that when Paul emphasized the war between the law of God and the law of his mind (Rom 7:22-23) it was only to show that Jesus rescues men from this through salvation [3:76-78].

Tertullian (c.150-240), another North African Christian leader, indicated that the Holy Spirit makes men free from the law of sin and death in our members (Rom 7:23). After this experience of being set free, “Our members, therefore, will no longer be subject to the law of death, because they cease to serve that of sin, from both which they have been set free” [On The Resurrection Of The Flesh, Ch. 46]. Elsewhere he noted his understanding that Paul was referring in Romans 7 to his pre-Christian days as an unbelieving Jew stating that “even if he has affirmed that ‘good dwelleth not in his flesh,’ yet he means according to ‘the law of the letter,’ in which he ‘was’; but according to ‘the law of the Spirit,’ to which he annexes us, he frees us from the ‘infirmity of the flesh’”[On Modesty, Ch. 17].

In analyzing the early Christian understanding of Romans 7 it has become very clear that the early church did not understand this passage to teach the necessity of sin in believers, usually attributing to it the interpretation that it was a man who was striving to please God under the Law of Moses. In fact this interpretation was so prevalent that when discussing this passage around 415AD, Pelagius (c.350-c.420?) could write in his now lost work entitled Inv Defense Of The Freedom Of The Will, which is preserved by Augustine in On The Grace Of Christ And On Original Sin [1:43] that “that which you wish us to understand of the apostle himself, all Church writers assert that he spoke in the person of the sinner, and of one who was still under the law. . . .” Augustine, in his attempt to refute this statement of Pelagius, was unable to offer any church writers who disagreed with Pelagius.Standing the Gap

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [SUP]29 [/SUP]because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matt7:29

Often interpreted as. Jesus did not continually have to quote the opinions of others, in his teaching

 

[nathan3]

This does not compare to a copy for at home, but maybe you will be able to use the notes for Romans 7.

Choose Romans: To change the page, press the small, blue, right facing "arrow". This will change the page. ( allow the page to fully load before changed to another page with the arrow. If not fully loaded , the page will not turn.) Turn until you see 7

Use the notes there, zoom in to see the notes clear. ( You should buy the Large Print version from Kregel publishing of the Companion Bible by Bullinger. The online versions don't compare to having one at home.)


( There is a small learning curve to the notes. But if you look closely. you can figure some of it out on your own )

'The Book of Job:' by Bullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William), 1837-1913 - Page %CURPAGENUM% of %LASTPAGENUM%

 

[RedTent]

A man came to my house to fix my light fixture, and as we sat over coffee afterwards he told me of his life. It explained this thread.

He was deep in sin that he expressed with partying and in a ruined marriage. He said he was having awonderful time, he truly enjoyed all of it. One day he went to church and met Jesus, truly met Him for the firs ttime. The electrician didn’t say Jesus is God, what Jesus says is right, isn’t that all wonderful. He didn’t know anything about scripture,either. What this electrician did was say “I give my life to Jesus”.

Before that day, his life had been all about his fleshly life, he lived just how he decided. After that one moment of change he lived through Christ, everything was adjusted by Christ.

You say what we do doesn’t work, and that alone certainly doesn’t. But when what we do is through our life with God, when we take on Godly desires instead of fleshly ones, the result is works. This electrician hadn’t had any desire to drink for years, his family and life was repaired, even how he spent his money changed.

 

[homwardbound]

Can any one explain this chapter of the Bible. I have heard many theocracy's about this but none satisfy. Most say that this was before Paul was saved. I don't think so, Because his name is Paul and not Saul. Are there Christians out there who are bound by sin but, truly love God and are abhorred by what they are doing and want to be free from there bondage. Reading the bible more doesn't work, praying more doesn't work, fasting doesn't work. Cutting the grass at the church doesn't work. giving water bottles out to the poor doesn't work. Going to church every time the door is open doesn't work. And you are still bound. This thread is for You, because the Cross is the only way to be free according to the Word of God.

And by that alone giving upmon all things in and of this world is the only way God himself frees youby one starting the new life in him, not Church, not going here or over there, but by trust in the finished work of Christ then moving on into the resurrection of Christ you being raised from the dead as Chrsit was by Father this is stated as so though belief in Romans 6:1-11 that last verse is to reckoin thyself as so as what Paul has said has been done in you after belief no work out this trust in trust, For God is my trustfund, I know what he has done for me to this day and has delkivered me it is him and not me for if pride enters then I will be right back where UI was in an instsant that old man Carnal mind would be comne back to life because as a man thinks so is he. It is not our feelings that control us and we cannot change our feelings. But we can change our thoiughts thus our feelings will change according to our thoughts, s o our feelings can change but in order for this to be one need see from God the Father's vantage point our minds being renewed. That is the only way to be free from this dark and dangerous world

 

[homwardbound]

The cross includes this...

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

I know the scripture is true what you wrote and am asking you Skinski has this taken place with you yet? or are you on your way towards this? And are you doing this trying to do this as they did in the Old testament having to sacrifice an animall and shed its blood in order to get forgiven never having thier conscience purged from sin as Christ is talked about in Hebrews and Father was never pleased by the blood of bulls and goats but is pleased by the last sacrifice of his only begotten Son? i know that I tried for years myself and was angered that I never could accomplish this as it seems you are saying one must do.
So please tell me what your opinion is and how one gets to salvation for I never ever have been able to ever be righteous in and of myself ever, thanks in advance

 

[homwardbound]

Rom7 is the most illuminating chapter Paul wrote on Grace, and shows us why he was so passionate that the Christian has to die to the law to live and produce true works for God. If Paul is speaking post conversion in verse 14-25, he condemns himself according to what he wrote in chs6&8
From verse 7 of ch7 onwards Paul is speaking of what happened when he lived under the law, and I am sure that happens to so many today
You said:
Are there Christians out there who are bound by sin but, truly love God and are abhorred by what they are doing and want to be free from there bondage. Reading the bible more doesn't work, praying more doesn't work, fasting doesn't work. Cutting the grass at the church doesn't work. giving water bottles out to the poor doesn't work. Going to church every time the door is open doesn't work. And you are still bound.

I am positive there are so many Christians living as you have described above, it is truly tragic. Speaking honestly I have never heard preached from any pulpit, including born again pulpits, the message in its fulness Paul wrote on Grace in his letters, though I have read a couple of books on it. I think many ministers are reluctant to preach it in fear people will see it as a licence to sin
For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under law but under grace
Rom6:14

Anyone can know the reality of sin not beling their master(i am not speaking of sinless perfection) if they love God and believe the message Paul spoke. So if Christians love God(as you obviously do from what you wrote) and understand Paul's message, they will be free, for their is great power in the Cross of Christ
Though in that fredom they will always have temptaion to sin, for such temptation is inevitable, but does not leave you in the state Paul was in in Rom7:14-25

My heart goes out to the people you have described in emboldended letters

Yes Marc we are in agreement brother

 

[homwardbound]

I believe Romans 7 is dealing with Holy Spirit Paul writing of the before and after in places but this line:



Would be expressing what the Messiah spoke here :

John 4



Yahshua the Messiah tells us that we must be born again of the Spirit and Paul is trying to put this across in his writings.

John 3





Romans 7



This is Paul explaining the Old covenant being dead and that Faith in the Messiah is the New Covenant of Yahvah God.


Romans 7



This part is Paul declaring that the His belief in the Messiah is what delivers him to be reconciled with Heavenly Father to worship in Spirit and Truth.

The Law of Moses was given until the SEED came which is the Messiah.

The Messiah tells us to keep and teach the Commandments.

The 10 Commandments were not the problem we the people were.. we have to die to self and made New which comes through Faith.

Hebrews 10




Matthew 22



Love is what makes the difference... we are Loved and are free to love Heavenly Father and Yahshua the Messiah.

Great insightful post, but Love god's type is the greatest of the ten commandments and is the fullfillment of all the Law this is what is written on our hearts that believe 1 cor 13 god's typeof LOve

 

[homwardbound]

Have you not just shifted the blame from one being personally responsible (ie. sin is a choice) for their own sin to blaming the way one is made (ie. sin is necessitated)?

Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Skinski ar you born again? your scripture shows me my need to be does it you too?

 

[Skinski7]

I know the scripture is true what you wrote and am asking you Skinski has this taken place with you yet? or are you on your way towards this? And are you doing this trying to do this as they did in the Old testament having to sacrifice an animall and shed its blood in order to get forgiven never having thier conscience purged from sin as Christ is talked about in Hebrews and Father was never pleased by the blood of bulls and goats but is pleased by the last sacrifice of his only begotten Son? i know that I tried for years myself and was angered that I never could accomplish this as it seems you are saying one must do.
So please tell me what your opinion is and how one gets to salvation for I never ever have been able to ever be righteous in and of myself ever, thanks in advance

No-one can be righteous in and of themselves because righteousness is found in God.

God is the Creator and the way things ought to be are set forth by the Creator. Thus we have to ALIGN OURSELVES with the Creator in order to be ALIGNED WITH TRUTH. Sin is where we separate ourselves from the express will of God and go our own ways, this is unrighteousness.

My righteousness is found in Jesus Christ who is the light that is in me. I no longer love but Christ lives in me. This is the righteousness of God. We walk after the Spirit wherever He leads.





So what must one do?

They must repent and forsake their rebellion. Then they can turn to God and yield to Him. God will then regenerate the spirit that died due to sin and this is when we go from a state of darkness to state of light.

 

[homwardbound]

A man came to my house to fix my light fixture, and as we sat over coffee afterwards he told me of his life. It explained this thread.

He was deep in sin that he expressed with partying and in a ruined marriage. He said he was having awonderful time, he truly enjoyed all of it. One day he went to church and met Jesus, truly met Him for the firs ttime. The electrician didn’t say Jesus is God, what Jesus says is right, isn’t that all wonderful. He didn’t know anything about scripture,either. What this electrician did was say “I give my life to Jesus”.

Before that day, his life had been all about his fleshly life, he lived just how he decided. After that one moment of change he lived through Christ, everything was adjusted by Christ.

You say what we do doesn’t work, and that alone certainly doesn’t. But when what we do is through our life with God, when we take on Godly desires instead of fleshly ones, the result is works. This electrician hadn’t had any desire to drink for years, his family and life was repaired, even how he spent his money changed.

these new works are not his they are the works of the hidden man of his heart that he is listening to. The works are a by-product from his belief to serve Jesus. To serve one follows and hears the teachings from thier new heart in Christ Jesus. If it were his works or mine or yours you will be caught backed up in your sins and need a plummer Christ Jesus to clear your conscience again from thinking about sin period for Jesus took that all away at the cross in order to give new life in the believer as this man showed. the flesh and the Spirit are at war but I fought the law and The Spirit won I waived my white flag and went over to what the world calls enemy camp, where we are no longer under the Law, and found peace, Joy and righteousness in the Holy Ghost that Christ sent to us that began at the day of Pentecost, which does not mean that we have to have a spectacular experience in the roof shaking or anything like that of sort, for the day of belief we are sealed with that same Holy Ghost of promise, Eph.1:13

 

[Skinski7]

Skinski ar you born again? your scripture shows me my need to be does it you too?

Yes indeed.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Yes indeed.

how were you born again, if I might ask

 

[homwardbound]

No-one can be righteous in and of themselves because righteousness is found in God.

God is the Creator and the way things ought to be are set forth by the Creator. Thus we have to ALIGN OURSELVES with the Creator in order to be ALIGNED WITH TRUTH. Sin is where we separate ourselves from the express will of God and go our own ways, this is unrighteousness.

My righteousness is found in Jesus Christ who is the light that is in me. I no longer love but Christ lives in me. This is the righteousness of God. We walk after the Spirit wherever He leads.





So what must one do?

They must repent and forsake their rebellion. Then they can turn to God and yield to Him. God will then regenerate the spirit that died due to sin and this is when we go from a state of darkness to state of light.

Thank you andthis has already occurred in me from God the Fsather of Christ through Christs finished work. This occurred the first day of my belief from God the Father's point of view at age 12. I was told that i was like an apple tree i was no more than the Apple that was hanging from the branch. I had been born through this branch and was a perfect Apple that day I was born through this branch of the apple tree. But there was a problem I needed protection and while Iwas a perfect apple I was green and not yet mature, now the branch was mature enough to rest in the tree for me to be born, which is what got me born the mature branch abiding in the tree. Then here is my life now mature and abiding today I am that branch that only bears the fruit that the tree will produce in and through me through me abiding. The tree is the tree of life Christ Jesus, and this i what you have said.
But I desire to know Skinski, are we when we decide to believe on that day born again from God's vantage point? I know from the worlds vantage point no way.

 

[homwardbound]

Yes indeed.

great and am rejoicing for you in the Spirit of God and all he is

 

[Skinski7]

Thank you andthis has already occurred in me from God the Fsather of Christ through Christs finished work. This occurred the first day of my belief from God the Father's point of view at age 12. I was told that i was like an apple tree i was no more than the Apple that was hanging from the branch. I had been born through this branch and was a perfect Apple that day I was born through this branch of the apple tree. But there was a problem I needed protection and while Iwas a perfect apple I was green and not yet mature, now the branch was mature enough to rest in the tree for me to be born, which is what got me born the mature branch abiding in the tree. Then here is my life now mature and abiding today I am that branch that only bears the fruit that the tree will produce in and through me through me abiding. The tree is the tree of life Christ Jesus, and this i what you have said.
But I desire to know Skinski, are we when we decide to believe on that day born again from God's vantage point? I know from the worlds vantage point no way.

Well what does "born again" mean?

oh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Mat 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Act_26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

We are born again when we have truly experienced the above and thus WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.

Rom_6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Therefore we add to our faith...

2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

[Enow]

Can any one explain this chapter of the Bible. I have heard many theocracy's about this but none satisfy. Most say that this was before Paul was saved. I don't think so, Because his name is Paul and not Saul.

Have you heard of beliver's testimony of what their life was like before they were saved? That was what Paul was testifying of in Romans 7th chapter as it leads into the 8th chapter in explaining the difference between before and after he got saved.

Romans 7:[SUP]5 [/SUP]For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. [SUP]6 [/SUP]But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. [SUP]7 [/SUP]What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet....[SUP]16 [/SUP]If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [SUP]17 [/SUP]Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [SUP]18 [/SUP]For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [SUP]19 [/SUP]For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [SUP]20 [/SUP]Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [SUP]21 [/SUP]I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [SUP]22 [/SUP]For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [SUP]23 [/SUP]But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [SUP]24 [/SUP]O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [SUP]25 [/SUP]I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8:[SUP]3 [/SUP]For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [SUP]4 [/SUP]That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.....[SUP]12 [/SUP]Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [SUP]13 [/SUP]For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For as many that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Are there Christians out there who are bound by sin but, truly love God and are abhorred by what they are doing and want to be free from there bondage. Reading the bible more doesn't work, praying more doesn't work, fasting doesn't work. Cutting the grass at the church doesn't work. giving water bottles out to the poor doesn't work. Going to church every time the door is open doesn't work. And you are still bound. This thread is for You, because the Cross is the only way to be free according to the Word of God.

Trusting Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd that He will do it... works, but do ask Him for discernment as to what you are doing and thinking that is sowing to the flesh so that you will put those provisions for the flesh away from you that are tempting you to sin.

John 6:[SUP]28 [/SUP]Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? [SUP]29 [/SUP]Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Philippians 1:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:....[SUP]9 [/SUP]And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; [SUP]10 [/SUP]That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.Romans 13: [SUP]13 [/SUP]Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Ephesians 6: [SUP]11 [/SUP]Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [SUP]12 [/SUP]For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2 Corinthians 10: [SUP]4 [/SUP](For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds [SUP]5 [/SUP]Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [SUP]6 [/SUP]And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Philippians 4: [SUP]5 [/SUP]Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [SUP]6 [/SUP]Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [SUP]7 [/SUP]And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [SUP]9 [/SUP]Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

[crossnote]

The
subject of Rom 7 is neither Paul before or after conversion.
The subject matter is the futility of trying to please God through law keeping due to sins relation to the law and our flesh.
Rom 8 provides the remedy through the work of the Cross and the Holy Spirit...regardless of BC or AC

 

[Laodicea]

I see Romans 7 as Paul the Pharisee before he was converted. It is not an unconverted worldly person who has no desire to follow God. Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seed fell on for different types of ground. Romans 7 is someone that knows God's Law and desires to follow His Law.
Romans 7:1 KJV
(1) Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Romans 7:22 KJV
(22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

The Pharisees also follow God's Law although in an incorrect way so Romans 7 is not someone of the world who has no desire to follow God's Law but, someone who is like the Pharisees. The early church they had an issue of some of the Pharisees who were part of the church teaching people had to keep the ceremonial laws to be saved, this is another part where Paul is addressing this issue teaching that we are not saved by keeping the law but, by faith in God. Keeping the Law is a result of faith not a means of salvation.

 

[psychomom]

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [SUP]6[/SUP]Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[SUP][b][/SUP] gives birth to spirit.

I find myself once again struck with the beautiful certainty of the Word...

The Spirit gives birth to spirit! It's just a plain fact, straight from the mouth of the LOGOS.

It's not something we control (thank God) or something we have to try to manufacture on our own.
It happens because God ordained that it will.
I love that.