Romans 7:5-6 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death.… Observe here three things in sin which tend to make men miserable. 1. Its reigning power. Wherever sin reigns in the heart, it will prevail in the life; and how miserable must that man be whose heart is in love, in league with sin? 2. Its condemning power. This ariseth from man's disobedience; the curse must follow the offence (1 Corinthians 15:26). 3. Its irritating power. And this is what our apostle refers to in our text. By this I understand that evil propensity of heart which takes occasion to sin from everything it meets with: every object which is presented, even the pure and holy law of God, through the evil temper of our hearts, is liable to be so abused as to excite us to sin. Learn hence — I. THAT THEY WHO ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD. 1. Let us inquire into the meaning of this expression. (1) Some tell us that we are to understand a man's being under the government of a carnal law, viz., the old dispensation. But surely all who were under that old testament were not unable to please God (Hebrews 11). (2) The term is sometimes taken in a good sense, as in Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21, 22. (3) At other times it is used in a bad sense, as in chap. Romans 8:5, etc., where the apostle fully explains himself. (4) The term is taken for man, and whatsoever is in him, both good and evil. In this sense our Lord uses the term (Matthew 16:17; John 1:13; John 3:5, 6). Our apostle (Galatians 5:13, 16, 17) uses the term in the same sense as in our text, as if it were synonymous with sin. By these passages it fully appears that flesh is put for the corruption of our nature (Psalm 51:5). 2. If it be asked why they who are in the flesh cannot please God, I answer, because they are in the flesh. To say that men are in the flesh, is to say much more than that flesh is in them. We read of the flesh lusting against the spirit in the same person, and the spirit against the flesh; but how dreadful must be the condition of that man who is all flesh, all sin! yet such is the description which the searcher of hearts gives a man as a fallen creature (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 53:2, 3). How, then, can such an one please God? They have no heart to fear, love, or serve Him. And as they who are in the flesh cannot please God; so neither can God be pleased with them (Psalm 5:4, 5; Psalm 7:11). If God be holy, He must necessarily hate sin and sinners. As they are in a state of sin, they are under the curse; and as their temper is suited to their state, they must be hateful in His sight (Habakkuk 1:13; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 21:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Jeremiah 2:21). II. THAT THE TRUE CAUSE OF ALL SIN IS IN OURSELVES, as may fully appear by the motions of sin in our members. 1. So long as a man is in a state of sin. the motions of sin will powerfully work in all the members of the body, and in all the faculties of the soul. I know that some conclude that sin is only seated in the body, and they have invented a variety of methods in order to eradicate sin out of the body; but when they have done all, still the heart remains as bad as ever. "The works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20, 21) are principally seated in the soul. What the soul conceives, the body executes. 2. Now if these motions of sin work in our members, what can be the reason why they are so little lamented? because men love them; nor can we wonder at it, if we consider that these motions are a part of the old man, which is corrupt with its affections and lusts. These things are unlamented, because they are no more burdensome; for if a man be dead in sin he will have no sensations, and consequently will have no spiritual complaints. III. THAT EVEN THE HOLY LAW OF GOD, WHICH PROHIBITS SIN, AND CONDEMNS FOR IT, CAN NEVER HELP THEM, BUT RATHER PROVOKES THEM TO SIN. "The motions of sins which were by the law." Not effected, but occasioned by the law. Not that the law gives any just occasion to sin (vers. 8, 11). 1. The law, as commanding perfect obedience, and not giving any supply of grace, will have this tendency (ver. 9). 2. The law, as prohibiting men from evil, hath much the same tendency. It is but like a very weak dam, in the way of a mighty current; it seems to stop its course for a moment till it gain greater strength, by reason of a greater quantity of water, then it rushes forward and bears down all before it. 3. The law, as condemning men for sin, hath sometimes this tendency (Jeremiah 2:25). "I shall perish forever, I will therefore say to my soul, Take thy fill of sin. Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." IV. THAT "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH." (J. Stafford.) Parallel Verses KJV: For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. |
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