Jack Miller points out that law/gospel distinction in detail for us here. My only complaint is that at one point he says "knowledge" of law and gospel is unnecessary:
Our problem as sinners isn't a knowledge problem remedied by more law instruction and our subsequent doing, but a sin-problem which only the gospel solves, God's already done! This is true for our justification as well as our sanctification. As believers we are called to mortify sin within us, which by definition means resisting the desires that actually tempt us and then again to offer ourselves to loving God and loving our neighbor. The finished work of Jesus declared in the gospel is the only weapon given believers that actually breaks that power of sin and frees us to walk in a righteous direction. The World's Ruined: Too Much Gospel, Too Little Law?
The problem here is that knowledge is required before anyone can know sin through the light of the law. (Romans 3:20; 7:7). The sinful and carnal mind cannot obey God's law. (Romans 8:7). In fact the soteriological articles say that plainly in Articles 9-18. But Article 9 is straight to the point:
The phrase phronema sarkos is from the New Testament Greek of Romans 8:7:Article IX
Of Original or Birth Sin
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek phronema sarkos (which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh), is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath itself the nature of sin.
. . . διότι τὸ φρόνημα τῆς σαρκὸς ἔχθρα εἰς θεόν, τῷ γὰρ νόμῳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ὑποτάσσεται, οὐδὲ γὰρ δύναται· (Romans 8:7 BYZ)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:7 NKJ)
It means literally the "mind of the flesh". But here's the thing. Knowledge is required before we can know we are sinners:
And knowledge is required before we can know the Gospel by faith:Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20 NKJ)What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." (Romans 7:7 NKJ)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8 NKJ)
And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. (Ephesians 2:17 NKJ)
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 NKJ)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJ)And even more to the point, even our sanctification is impossible without knowledge:
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17 NKJ)
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 NKJ)The mind is not enmity against God. We are to worship God with our minds (Mark 12:30). It is the carnal mind, the sinful mind that is at enmity with God, not the believing mind. The believer has been set free from this bondage to evil thoughts, though not entirely. (Genesis 6:5; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).
Posts
