THE APOSTLE PAUL ANSWERS THIS QUESTION WITH AN EMPHATIC, NO !
First believers who want the full truth need to ask, what is the over all theme or message of Chapter Seven of the Book of Romans? The theme is that no human being can earn his own salvation by his ability at keeping the Law. Human nature is not capable of such obedience. We must rely on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, period.
Romans 7:14-15 NKJV 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 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.
Remember that the Apostle Paul is probably the most converted and spiritual man in the New Testament era. He is saying that even he is too carnal to obey fully as he wishes. He further goes on to blatantly state that the law is good and necessary because Paul realizes that his messages of grace might mislead some. Therefore he states:
Romans 7:7 NKJV 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
The apostle says it is beyond any certainty that the law is good and we need it. It would be ridiculous to say that God's Spiritual Law is bad and has been abolished. We would not need grace or a pardon if there were no law to break. Therefore our abundant need for grace confirms the law. He further elaborates
Romans 7:12 NKJV 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
Paul fully supports the law just as Jesus gave it support. Note Matt. 5:17-20. Paul goes even further in showing:
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Paul loved the law deep in his heart even though his carnal side rebelled. His heart was with God and His laws.
WHAT IS THE DEEP SPIRITUAL MESSAGE OF ROMANS CHAPTER SEVEN
Paul explains that the new convert who sincerely wishes to obey God is sabotaged by that person's human nature. SALVATION CANNOT BE FOUND BY OUR ABILITY TO OBEY THE LAW. We have to rely on the grace provided by Jesus- period. We will unpack contextually Chapter Seven and further reveal Paul's wonderful vital message.
Romans 7:4-5 NKJV 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bare fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Paul is saying as we noted, not that the law is done away but, we cannot be saved thru the law. We died at baptism and now are free from our indictment by the law because of the sacrifice of Christ. Further we are married to a new master or new covenant. That new master is Jesus and He demands that we now work on spiritual obedience.
Romans 7:6-7 NKJV 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! …
New covenant believers are now working on serving and obeying at the higher spiritual level. This matches the higher levels of obedience required by Christ in Matthew Chapter Five. Jesus has put our relationship on a higher level.
Human nature is caught in what can be called the forbidden fruit syndrome. We often desire what we are told we should not have.
Romans 7:8-11 NKJV 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the law, produced in me all manner of evil desire... 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment,deceived me, and by it killed me.
Sin leads to death, and frequently the dark side of human nature is triggered by legal restrictions. Further sin is defined by the law and without the law one would not necessarily know what is evil and destructive. Often sin can also be deceptive. We erroneously think the “fun” will not exact a penalty. Paul said the same thing in his letter to other churches.
Philippians 3:3 NKJV 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and haveno confidence in the flesh,
3:9 NKJV 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
We must gain righteousness from God, believing in Christ and not our selves.
DOES CONVERSION PUT AN END TO THE POWER OF HUMAN NATURE?
The apostle to the gentiles makes it abundantly clear in Romans Chapter Seven that this is NOT true.
Romans 7:17-20 NKJV 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 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. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin... in me.
Paul shares several lessons with us regarding struggling against our nature. First that knowledge of the rules and restrictions does not make it easier to obey- many times the exact opposite happens. Secondly even when we desire self improvement we cannot change our heart or nature deep down. Thirdly becoming converted does not stamp out the dark side of human nature.
Romans 7:21-23 NKJV 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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.
The excuse the devil deep inside me made me do it, may contain some truth. We not only have to fight our inner nature but Satan's society further encouraging our more selfish desires. Without Jesus's help, sin is stronger than we are and a major branch of Judaism was so deceived in such matters. Paul is writing chapter seven in part to resist such influences on the newly converted.
Romans 7:24-25 NKJV 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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.
Paul learned to hate his human nature. He also goes on in Chapter Eight of Romans to explain that Christ saves us from our human nature. One might ask why did God create us with such a rebellious nature? So we could learn to resist evil and learn often the best way the hard way, the dangers of ungodly behavior.
Then when at the resurrection we are given a fully spiritual body, we will have a stronger resistance to evil, that will last for eternity. If someone thought he had earned his salvation through his own works think of the arrogance. God will not tolerate that kind of self righteousness in his family.
Luke 18:9-14 NKJV 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men...for everyonewho exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Only the truly humble and appreciative of the atoning of Jesus will be in the family of God. Our relationship with God is now and forever on a higher and more dependent level. We will be loyal to God unlike Lucifer for ever.
ISSUES
HAVE MOST CHRISTIANS LEARNED TO HATE HUMAN NATURE ,YES OR NO?
