Law was an impossible system to keep

[mfblume]

Law was definitely considered destructive as far as Paul was concerned. Not because it commanded bad things. He agreed all that it commanded was right and proper things to live. He did not imply, nor do I believe, the things law commanded should be violated. But the manner in which laws are carried out is what cannot be fulfilled. To command someone "THOU SHALT NOT" only stirs sin up in the person. I think the simplest way to explain it, that likely doesn't cover all the nuances involved, is that our instinct is to say, "No, I will!"

The point is sin resides in our flesh like a force. And that sin makes it impossible for us to keep law consistently. And I say consistently in the sense that we can obey it only for so long. And at some point WE WILL FAIL.

[mfblume]

SIN AS A FORCE:

Rom 6:12....Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Rom 6:14....For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Rom 7:8-9....But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ..(9)....For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Rom 7:11....For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Rom 7:13-21....Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. ..(14)....For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ..(15)....For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ..(16)....If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ..(17)....Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ..(18)....For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ..(19)....For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ..(20)....Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ..(21)....I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

[mfblume]

Esaias,

Any more thoughts on the will power Paul noted in Romans 7? Like to hear your thoughts on some of my thoughts and the scriptures I presented.

Blessings!

[mfblume]

Esaias! Where are you?!

[Esaias]

Sorry! I thought the thread had been hijacked! I will read your posts and comment shortly (en tachei).

[shazeep]

7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Sorry! I thought the thread had been hijacked! I will read your posts and comment shortly (en tachei).

Thanks. Hijacking has gone on far too much lately. Lol

[shazeep]

ya, you are the victim

[mfblume]

Issue: Did Paul mean will power in contrast to relying instead on a higher power, when he used the phrase "to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not."

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Issue: Did Paul mean will power in contrast to relying instead on a higher power, when he used the phrase "to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not."

In my {humble} opinion.. in that 7th chapter of Romans, Paul was talking about how the will to do good was present when all he had was Law, before Calvary. But then in Romans 8:1 there is a change of his tone, and hope! There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.... so I truly believe that when Paul wrote the last part of chapter 7, he was speaking of the old law that did not have the power to change us.