(Rom 7:14) “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”  This flesh is carnal – fleshly – corrupted by the old nature (fallen nature), that part of us that loves self and puts its pleasures before God. The law is the opposite, as are all the things of God. They are spiritual. This is why man does not naturally seek God.

(Rom 7:13) “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.” Death, the wages of sin, was always there. But through the law we can now plainly see the danger before us. It is now time, right now, to turn our hearts away from our sin and ask God for forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 7:12)  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  Have you noticed that the characteristics of the law are the same as God’s. God is good. The law is good. When Israel first heard the law, Hebrews reveals, (Heb 12:20) “(For they could not endure that which was commanded,…” This is the heart of every unsaved thus unchanged in spirit person.

(Rom 7:12)  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  “Just”: equable to all men. Some people sin and say, “God knows my heart.” That’s the point. He knows. He knows you believe you are the exception to His rule. No one is.

(Rom 7:12) “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  “Holy”: separate from all others as God is holy and none compares to Him. The law came from God, not man, and therefore is perfect like God – holy.

(Rom 7:11) “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”  Notice the law did not decieve; no, sin within man deceives into thinking, “It is my right….”; “God is trying to withhold something good from me.”; “The ‘thing’ is worth it!”.  The Bible says, (Heb 11:25c) “…. enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” – “…and by it slew me.”

 (Rom 7:10) “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”   How can it be “ordained to life” if no one can keep it? One did – Jesus, and that – perfectly. The standard reflects God the Father and Jesus God’s image as we (man) once was. It is life for we can have it through the perfect Man Who became the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

(Rom 7:10) “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”  This should serve as a warning to those who in any way, at any level, trust their desire of heaven through their own efforts. A close look at self against God’s laws will find condemnation instead of salvation.

(Rom 7:9)  “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” In other words, in my ignorance I thought I was all right. Then, brought face to face with God’s Holy standard I realized the extent of my wickedness. I now knew I stood condemned before Him. I needed a Savior.  

(Rom 7:8b) “…… For without the law sin was dead.” This is not saying sin had no effect, ending in death. It is saying that the mind was not conscious of the level of sin one commits until that knowledge arrived through the law.