Many People think that the Romans 7 man is saved but that is simply not so. Paul is describing the person who comes to a knowledge of the law but has not yet found Jesus the one the law should lead us to.
First question:
1. Is the Romans 7 man Spiritual or Carnal?
Answer: Carnal
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
2. Should the Saved person still be Carnal?
Answer: no
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Notice that the Romans 7 man fits this description perfectly, They try to keep the law but can not, thus they are not subject to the law. Notice that if you are in the flesh then you are not Christs.
3. Is the Romans 7 man delivered from sin or slave to it?
Answer: Slave to sin and not delivered.
Rom 7:23 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.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Clearly the Romans 7 man is captive/slave to sin and in need of deliverance.
4. Is it possible that this person is saved while in captivity and serving sin?
Answer: no, we can not serve two masters.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
5. why does Paul use this imagery?
Answer: to show the sinners helpless case and to lead people to Jesus who can deliver us.
Rom 7:25 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.
6. Does the sinner stay in this condition after Faith comes?
Answer: no, The Sinner is empowered by the Spirit and no longer walks according to the flesh as seen in Romans 7.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
7. Doesn't Paul say that we serve both after we meet Jesus?
Rom 7:25 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.
Answer: no, Paul simply shows that in Christ we now are free to chose the law of God or the law of sin. the person in Romans 7 had no choice they served the law of sin no matter what. But the new man empowered by the Spirit is free from the law of sin not like the Romans 7 man who was captive to the law of sin.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
8. Again what was Paul's main point of writing this?
Answer: We are helpless to keep the law even when we realize its good. This should make us realize we are wretched and in need of a savior. Jesus is the answer and Jesus frees us indeed. The law was the schoolmaster that leads us to our need of saving from the Romans 7 condition.
Rom 8:3 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:
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Blessings.
Peace be with you, beloved gotime and the HOLY SPIRIT has taught you well about Romans chapter 7 and 8, helping you see clearly what Apostle Paul is saying to all of us as witnesses of Kingdom knowledge faith, to the right way and also to our right practices.
In Sir Paul's confession, as he was even more knowledge filled in the Law of GOD, given to Moses, now after being saved, realize the previous battle with sin, struggled as a slave living in carnality, who was unable to see and understand GOD'S righteousness, even in the Law of Moses, but was only drawn to one's own perspective in understanding and practices regarding them. He confesses that previously he was not at all at peace being a Pharisee in the Law of Moses, who was ruled by carnality and a slave to sin.
Let us all go back and start from Chapter 1-7, as in summary, i am guided to remind and to stir up memory of believers as i was, in order for all of us to witness clearly by the Help of the HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS's Grace and Truth. These chapters start of by, GOD's creation and men's creation of fantasy GOD's Way and men's own way, GOD's righteousness and men's 'self' righteousness, GOD's work and men's strength work, GOD's freedom and men's freedom slavery.
That liberty only comes from the 'Law of SPIRIT of life', to set free those in CHRIST, who have the SPIRIT knowledge of life and practice them in faith, who have come in to live to things of the Spirit, written in the New Testament and as Sir Paul finalizes in Romans chapter 8, verse 1 and onwards:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in CHRIST JESUS. ...................."
Please clearly notice Sir Paul's beginning words in chapter 8 verse 1, is a continuation from the end of chapter 7. He actually mentions about his past Pharisee life under the law of Moses and in carnality and a slave to sin in chapter 7.
A matter of fact in support to someone's reply to this tread that sin and death were and are now still dominant over the Jews, who were under the Law of Moses and ignorant born again, still living to the things of the flesh, to the pleasure and necessity of this world.
And together also, sin and death were and are still dominant over the Gentiles, who were and are under the Law of GOD, which naturally are written in their conscience and ignorant born again, still living again to the things of the flesh, to the pleasure and necessity of this world.
i was like many Christian, still living in my sins and to witnesses Romans Chapter 7 was my only tower of refuge, in order to be excused. At that time, i did not understand Romans chapter 8, even though i have read them again. So i use to take other Scripture out of context and what is seen in reality and justify my innocence and also defeat my convicting and guilty conscience from within me.
Then when GOD opened my eyes to understand Romans chapter 8 and by the Help of the HOLY SPIRIT, i was able to witness my poverty in faith knowledge and my deception to deviate, a false, witnessing to others and cheating true salvation.
Further down chapter 8, verse 12,13 justifies about those who are brothers and what are they to watch out for and not to fall once again to the things of carnality/the flesh?
As it is written to those who are in disbelieve that;
"HE did not use harshness and force.................................."
Many will not understand you, where you are coming from, as i know that you are gaining spiritual sound doctrine knowledge of the Holy Bible from the Teacher, the HOLY SPIRIT, as you do 'seek', regarding the New Covenant. So, i encourage you, not to debate or content with them who do not see, but stand firm and stick to, in further discussions, only be based on the posted Tread matter.
i do see you and few others, maturing towards spiritual knowledge faith and also note that they also require us to practice them, for they are the very sowing to the things of the SPIRIT, and they are counted to us as our action faith, in confirmation to James confession in his epistle in the Hew Covenant of the Holy Bible.
No offense to anyone but blessed spiritual Kingdom knowledge encouragement in reminder and in stiring up memoy, to all HIS beloved lambs and sheep.
May the Good GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, bless you all with HIS kindness and peace.
'HE came, HE lived, HE died and HE relived and HE is here now and forevermore, Amen'. In order for you and me and others to grow as 'one' in knowledge, in order to live and worship the FATHER, who is SPIRIT, who calls true worshippers of HIS, to worship HIM, in spirit and truth and be together with HIM forever and ever, Amen.