Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (134) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:7.8

Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (134)
The "carnal mind" is in its essence thoroughly "enmity against God. It refuses to acknowledge God's rights over His creatures. It insists on making its own decisions independently of God and goes its own ways. If God gives a commandment, it rebels against it.

Mankind's "old nature" is incorrigible. It cannot submit to God's law. Chapter 7 has proved this. By means of fasting, castigation and many other ways one can try to suppress the dictates of the flesh, but they will always fail, because sinful flesh will never change; no improvement will ever come about. It can only be condemned and overruled. And this is precisely what God has done in the death of Christ (cf. v. 3). This is a fact that the believer should constantly heed.

Anyone who has not yet been born again and so still has his old sinful nature "cannot please God". He is marked out as a sinner "in the flesh" and has no standing before God. The self-will of his flesh determines his thinking and acting. God will not recognise what that evil root produces nor what characterises it.

Let us thank God that regenerate Christians are no longer "in the flesh". Paul had previously indicated this. They are "in Christ Jesus" (chs. 7:5; 8:1). This is now their new position before God.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Jeremiah 3:1-25 · Luke 20:1-8