“M. W. T.,” Barnet. Romans 7 gives us the experience of a quickened soul not yet fully emancipated. It does not present proper Christian experience at all. Christians get into it; but their proper place is in the eighth chapter. A little attention to the order of the chapters would help you to understand their contents. In Romans 5 the Apostle lays down the precious foundation truth of our full and complete justification and acceptance in a risen Christ. In Romans 6 he deals with the question of indwelling sin, and proves our deliverance from it through our being dead to it. In Romans 7 the subject of law is taken up, and the unhappy condition of any soul under it is contemplated. Then, in the first three verses of Romans 8 we have a condensed view of the doctrine contained in the three preceding chapters. Verse 1 gives us the contents of Romans 5. “No condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” Verse 2 gives the contents of Romans 6. “The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath delivered me from the law of sin and death.” Verse 3 gives the contents of Romans 7. “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Then we have the practical result, “The righteousness (δικαιωμα) of the law fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
We can heartily thank God for the contents of your letter. To Him be all the praise for the blessing you have received, as well as for the earnest aspiration of your spirit after higher communion with himself.