And this is why we must be born again of the Holy Spirit and take on the new identity in Christ. We do not look outwardly at something and try to change our own selves outwardly by just taking thought. For what man by taking thought can change the height of his stature, or even the color of his hair just by his own thoughts and desires? And just like the law written outwardly on paper, which we once saw outwardly but could not follow, had not the power to change our identity inwardly by just looking upon it outwardly.
But when the righteousness of the law is written inwardly in our hearts and minds by the Spirit of God, then we can behold the transformation taking place inwardly, not by our own power, but by God's power which now works in us. The righteousness of the law, like the Spirit of Life in Christ has the power to transform us when received inwardly by the Spirit of God. But only looking outwardly and trying to transform yourself in your own mind, and by the will of the flesh will fail, not being quickened by the Holy Spirit.
The flesh profits nothing, it is the Spirit that makes us alive.