The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 4

The law pertains to the logics, where the flesh pertains to the sin nature. This produces a huge conflict. You know what you should do, but cannot perform it.

Romans 7:15 - 24

For that which I work out, I do not experientially know, for not that which I desire, this I practice, but that which I hate, this I do.

Paul is describing a conflict that happens to all Christians when they try to use law to control the sin nature. The sin nature is energized by that law and uses it to work out its desires, rather than being controlled so the Christian can live unto God.

For that which I (the old nature) work out, I (the new nature) do not experientially know. For not that which I (the new nature) desire, this I (the old nature) practice, but that which I (the new nature) hate, this I (the old nature) do.

But since that which I (the new nature) do not desire, this I (the old nature) practice, I agree that the law is good.

The law is good. By the very act of desiring to live by the law is an acknowledgement that the law is good. However, as you can see, that does not mean you can live by the law.

But now it is no longer I (the new nature) that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

What a conflict! One that all of us have shared. Desiring to do what is right, but always doing what is wrong.

The problem does not stem from the new nature, but rather from the old nature.

Remember, the new nature is not a slave to the sin nature. Our new nature is a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

Although the sin nature, which is a part of our old nature, is rendered ineffective in Christ, Romans 6:6, it was not annihilated. Law will cause the sin nature to revive because in Christ you are not under any quality of law. Which means, if you are trying to live by law, you are not living from your position in Christ, and therefore, the sin nature is no longer rendered ineffective, but rather, comes alive and puts you back under slavery so that you cannot do the things that you desire to do and do the things that you do not desire.

For I intuitively know that no good dwells in me - that is in my flesh. For the desire is present with me, but working out the good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire to do, but that which lacks in character, that I do not desire, this I practice. But since, that which I do not desire , this I do, it is not I that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.