TOTAL DEPRAVITY

[LeviR]

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

How is a natural man going to do what he doesn't want to?

A carnal mind is a mind that sets its values on the things that please the flesh. It’s a fleshly minded person. A mind that serves the flesh.
Now, the flesh is such that it cares nothing for any laws whatsoever. It does not subject itself to them. Nor can it.
If not for fear of certain consequences under man’s laws and a basic instinct for self preservation, men could not summon the strength to combat the flesh with all of its desires. And the flesh would have a field day and take all it could get.
A day of stealing, raping and murder would be a good day for the flesh.

“The law is made weak by the flesh”

You see, the flesh itself has its own desires and does not subject itself to laws. It only wants what it wants.

This is a very basic thing to learn about the flesh and blood nature of man.
If a man does not exercise some control over his own nature he will end up in prison or dead.

So, this is what Paul is referring to in Romans 8:7
Being in the flesh refers to walking according to the dictates of the flesh.
“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh”

Paul is not saying that a person who walks according to the flesh cannot learn the truth and repent and be saved. He is simply explaining the flesh nature of man and how it works.
Called, “the works of the flesh”

 

[electedbyHim]

A carnal mind is a mind that sets its values on the things that please the flesh. It’s a fleshly minded person. A mind that serves the flesh.
Now, the flesh is such that it cares nothing for any laws whatsoever. It does not subject itself to them. Nor can it.
If not for fear of certain consequences under man’s laws and a basic instinct for self preservation, men could not summon the strength to combat the flesh with all of its desires. And the flesh would have a field day and take all it could get.
A day of stealing, raping and murder would be a good day for the flesh.

“The law is made weak by the flesh”

You see, the flesh itself has its own desires and does not subject itself to laws. It only wants what it wants.

This is a very basic thing to learn about the flesh and blood nature of man.
If a man does not exercise some control over his own nature he will end up in prison or dead.

So, this is what Paul is referring to in Romans 8:7
Being in the flesh refers to walking according to the dictates of the flesh.
“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh”

Paul is not saying that a person who walks according to the flesh cannot learn the truth and repent and be saved. He is simply explaining the flesh nature of man and how it works.
Called, “the works of the flesh”

Paul is not saying that a person who walks according to the flesh cannot learn the truth and repent and be saved.

Thats exactly what Paul is saying.

Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
Romans 8:7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
Romans 8:8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.


Carnal (σαρκικός), fleshly, sensual. Wicked or unconverted men are represented as under the domination of a “carnal mind, which is enmity against God,” and which must issue in death (Rom. 8:6, 7). Worldly enjoyments are carnal, because they only minister to the wants and desires of the animal part of man (Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11). The ceremonial parts of the Mosaic dispensation were carnal; they related immediately to the bodies of men and beasts (Heb. 7:16; 9:10). The weapons of a Christian’s warfare are not carnal; they are not of human origin, nor are they directed by human wisdom (2 Cor. 10:4).

John M’Clintock and James Strong, “Carnal,” Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1891), 127.

 

[LeviR]

Thats exactly what Paul is saying.

Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
Romans 8:7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
Romans 8:8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.


Carnal (σαρκικός), fleshly, sensual. Wicked or unconverted men are represented as under the domination of a “carnal mind, which is enmity against God,” and which must issue in death (Rom. 8:6, 7). Worldly enjoyments are carnal, because they only minister to the wants and desires of the animal part of man (Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11). The ceremonial parts of the Mosaic dispensation were carnal; they related immediately to the bodies of men and beasts (Heb. 7:16; 9:10). The weapons of a Christian’s warfare are not carnal; they are not of human origin, nor are they directed by human wisdom (2 Cor. 10:4).

John M’Clintock and James Strong, “Carnal,” Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1891), 127.

Man’s nature has been the same since the day he was created and God gave him law.
“I had not known lust except the law says ‘Thou shall not covet’”
Now we know what the law says and also that the flesh cares nothing for that law. The flesh only wants all it can get.

Now, this flesh and blood nature of ours we still own. Our flesh is the same.
The difference is, we know all about it and can walk in the Spirit of truth and deny the flesh with all its sinful desires.

“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me”

 

[electedbyHim]

Man’s nature has been the same since the day he was created and God gave him law.
“I had not known lust except the law says ‘Thou shall not covet’”
Now we know what the law says and also that the flesh cares nothing for that law. The flesh only wants all it can get.

Now, this flesh and blood nature of ours we still own. Our flesh is the same.
The difference is, we know all about it and can walk in the Spirit of truth and deny the flesh with all its sinful desires.

“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me”

But we are discussing the unregenerate.

From all your posts, it seems that you believe in total depravity.

Just embrace it.
(my sarcasm)

 

[LeviR]

But we are discussing the unregenerate.

From all your posts, it seems that you believe in total depravity.

Just embrace it.
(my sarcasm)

If you’re unregenerate get regenerate. It comes highly recommended.
It’s an intellectual exercise. it requires learning and deep thought. It’s an intelligent faith.

 

[electedbyHim]

If you’re unregenerate get regenerate. It comes highly recommended.
It’s an intellectual exercise. it requires learning and deep thought. It’s an intelligent faith.

The unregenerate can't regenerate.

Thry hate God.

You must think I'm unregenerate.

No worries, the Lord knows my heart.

 

[LeviR]

The unregenerate can't regenerate.

Thry hate God.

You must think I'm unregenerate.

No worries, the Lord knows my heart.

Sure they can. Believe the gospel of salvation, be immersion into Christ for the remission of sins, and walk in newness of life.
Love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself, give to the poor, honor your parents and remain hopeful until that hope is realized.

 

[electedbyHim]

Sure they can. Believe the gospel of salvation, be immersion into Christ for the remission of sins, and walk in newness of life.
Love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself, give to the poor, honor your parents and remain hopeful until that hope is realized.

Where does their belief come from to believe the gospel?

 

[LeviR]

Where does their belief come from to believe the gospel?

From the scripture. That’s where they learned who Christ was when he first came. He was “the one of whom Moses and the prophets did write”. The Messiah. The anointed King.

He’s the one of whom it is written about the door of salvation being opened to the Gentiles.

He’s the one who raises the dead to eternal life To life that’s almost indescribable in its glory.

 

[electedbyHim]

From the scripture. That’s where they learned who Christ was when he first came. He was “the one of whom Moses and the prophets did write”. The Messiah. The anointed King.

He’s the one of whom it is written about the door of salvation being opened to the Gentiles.

He’s the one who raises the dead to eternal life To life that’s almost indescribable in its glory.

So it is God who draws them and gives them faith to believe. Man does not and cannot seek God.

Even the uregenerates faith to believe comes from God.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

[LeviR]

So it is God who draws them and gives them faith to believe. Man does not and cannot seek God.

Even the uregenerates faith to believe comes from God.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

“No man can come to me unless my Father draw him”

The Father draws men to Christ because Christ does not teach his own doctrines. He teaches what he learned from the Father. And he speaks those words.

Jhn 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Jhn 6:45
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

 

[LeviR]

It was Moses and the prophets who spoke of Christ. And they did so under inspiration of God, who according to Christ is the Father, and also by whom they heard and learned from Him of the Messiah who was to come.
God is still drawing men to Christ by the inspiration of the scriptures whereby they learn of God and Christ.