Lesson 1999

(Lesson 1999)(04-23-17) Romans 7:12-20

"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 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. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

In today's quote, Paul said, in essence, that the restrictions of the law are good in that they, if obeyed, provide a perfect moral compass for all humanity. But, the phrase "if obeyed" destroys that reasoning in that it is impossible for mortal man to wholly obey all the restrictions of the law.

We can assume that what I've said here is true because of Paul's reasoning in today's quote. Paul reasoned that we, the children of God, because of the innate sin of all humanity, cannot by our own actions, possibly become righteous under the law. Paul said, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

That simply means that no matter how hard we might try to abide strictly by the rules of the law, we will inevitably fail. Therefore the ONLY means by which a lost soul can achieve the righteousness required for eternal redemption is to have that righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed into us through faith in Him.~