Let’s stand back for a moment to summarise what Paul is saying and to look at the implications for seeking divine approval by means of divine law.
Paul is saying that –
Divine Law is good, clean, honourable and praiseworthy
By means of divine law we gain knowledge of –
No share of divine inheritance,
Self-forfeiture, and
Divine disapproval
But a polarising distinction exists –
Divine law is related to the realm of breath and the heavenly realm,
Whereas we exist as a physical, fleshly entity
Before God brings us forth we follow or bring to completion our fleshly impulses
Self-forfeiture takes hold of divine law and the knowledge it presents
Self-forfeiture uses the law as a starting point to increase and become apparent in every aspect and facet
After God has brought us forth as Christians we find two opposing fundamental principles within us –
Our illuminated mind agrees that divine law is good, clean, honourable and praiseworthy
‘I’ closely identify with delight in God’s Law with my mind
Our intention is to speak and behave in agreement with it
But
An opposing energy, impetus and movement exists within our flesh
This impetus, existing in my members, takes me captive within self-forfeiture and loss
The result is that
I speak and behave in ways that ‘I’ do not intend
I say and do the very things that ‘I’ despise
This means that
‘I’ as governor/controller am not fully and wholeheartedly doing this,
Rather,
It is the energy and impetus of self-forfeiture inherent within my fleshly constitution that produces the behaviour that ‘I’ do not intend
This means that IF I as a Christian turn to seeking to obey divine law in order to promote my divine approval moment-by-moment, THEN I gain knowledge and confirmation of my self-forfeiture, loss and divine disapproval. My knowledge of self-forfeiture spreads into every aspect - into my behaviour, thoughts, passions and intentions - so that my self-forfeiture increases and is clearly seen. ‘Because Law is working down settled anger’, (Romans 4 v 15a).
But Paul has not finished his explanation and reasoning yet, so before I say any more I will continue to look at what he has to say next.
