Rom 7:22 for I delight in the law of God according to the
inward man,
Rom 7:23 and I behold
another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of the sin that is in my members. I have always thought these verses describe followers of Christ, and did not apply to mankind in general. But i wonder if that is true. Do we all (all humans) have the mind of Christ written in our hearts?? But because of the law of sin and death in our members; we are unable to access and appropriate it.
Every effort to release the mind of Christ in us, leads to failure as outlined in Romans 7.
Rom 2:14 For when the
Gentiles, which have not the law, do
by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which
show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
and for jews:
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be [
u]known of God is manifest in them[/u]; for God hath showed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that
they are without excuse: Rom 1:21 Because that, when they
knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:28 And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them
over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Seems like deep within all of us, is the law of God, which we know is Holy. The law of God is summed up as Love. God is love.
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
The law was ordained for life, but in humans, does the opposite; works death.
Rom 7:10 and the command
that is for life, this was found by me for death;
But because of our flesh condition, God gave us over to a reprobate mind. The carnal mind.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. The carnal mind can not submit to the law of God, love.
So we are all without excuse. We all know the law of God written on our hearts, but because of the flesh/carnal mind; we are guaranteed to fail.
Thank God for Jesus Christ. end of Romans 7.
I think that is why we are told to "work out" our salvation rather than "work in or for" our salvation. Salvation is already there, but it has to be released, and that only is through death. Death of the carnal mind/flesh. When released, Love abounds.
By grace, we have the flesh destroyed/burned now or later.
I find it interesting the wrath of God is not against men themselves, but "against all ungodliness and unrighteousness" of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
So basically in a nutshell, is Romans 7 describing followers of Christ, or all mankind?