December 3, 2008

The Law of Sin

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that [it is] good. But now, [it is] no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will [to do], I do not do; but the evil I will not [to do], that I practice. Now if I do what I will not [to do], it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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 7:14-25 NKJV)

Here Paul explains what every believer knows too well. Sin is still in his life. He lives with the unregenerate flesh, and with it serves the law of sin.

The law of sin is the power of sin that remains active in the flesh. Sin is not to have dominion over a believer. If it does, then he is not a believer. However, sin still influences the flesh. Paul is describing how the law of sin works in the flesh.

The flesh is powerless to do what is right because it serves the law of sin. However, the believer is not just flesh, but indwelt by the Spirit of God. Therefore, Paul points out that he delights in the law of God according to the inward man, but sees another law in his members, warring against the law of the mind.

Many use this passage to excuse their often-habitual sins. However, they do so at great risk to their souls for this passage gives no license to sin. Sure, the flesh will win over the Spirit sometimes, but if a person lives by the flesh, he must die.

Salvation has come to those who do not walk according to the flesh.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Romans 8:5-9 NKJV)

As was said, Paul is not giving license to sin. He is explaining how the law awoke him and sin became exceedingly sinful to him because he could not keep the law he desired to keep. This also helps to arm us for the spiritual battle of faith in Christ.

We must continually seek to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. To do this we must depend upon the Holy Spirit. Remember, your flesh is not capable of serving God. It serves the law of sin. Walk by faith today. Amen.