One of the most common mistake for a new Christian in sanctification is to put himself under the Law. We treat sanctification as legalism. However, v. 5 says, “For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.” The Law will trigger our rebellion. Paul made the same mistake as he described in vv. 9-25. The solution of sanctification is not work harder under the Law but to die to the Law (v. 4). Die to the Law will not make us a lawless person because the next chapter tell us a new principle will guide us.
Comments
Have you think about why God brings the Israelites the law if the law is only a temptation to man? I think God knows clearly the effect of the Law. It does not save man in the OT nor the NT. That is the purpose of the law. Men knows their limit when facing law. No one is able to keep it and thus push them to the grace of God.