Rick, you need to look at the whole passage to understand where Paul is coming from with that statement.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Paul is speaking about everybody are "in the flesh," carnality, beast, under the law, the old covenant... we all start out that way.
Rom 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
There he shows the difference and is speaking to believers about the change that the Holy Spirit brings into their lives, "that we should no longer be slaves of sin" (Rom 6:6), no longer under the law. And he continues explaining the carnal nature.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
v. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
v. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
And that brings us to the verse being discussed.
Rom 7:17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
v. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
v. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
v. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
Paul is still speaking about the carnal nature there as indicated by his question in verse 21. And then he goes on to explain how that all changes in the life a of believer with the Holy spirit.
Rom 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
v. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All (past, present, future) of our sins are forgiven and cover by Christ's sacrifice, "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ" (Rom 8:1). It's not that we can stop sinning while still in the flesh, the only way one is "free from sin" is Jesus' blood covers them.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption (Strong's - ransom in full, deliverance) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
v. 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
mercy, peace and love
Kat