My Law and the Law of Sin

The other law describes a person’s self-centeredness and perceived right to self-determine and go their own way. As a consequence of the fall, this law is active in the flesh of every living person. It manifests itself in a person’s innate desire to preserve their own life, independence, freedom and right to choose what they will do and how they will live. The other law will manifest itself in the life of a believer in their desire to serve God their own way. Regardless of a person’s commitment to serve God, Paul explained that the other law will make them a prisoner of the law of sin that is also at work in the members of their body. The law of sin describes the deception and consequences of sin that have been evident in the world since the fall of man. When God gave Adam and Eve a command in the garden of Eden, Satan took the opportunity to bring an alternate word. Satan knew that disobedience to God would lead to death. However, he deceived Eve into thinking that she could disobey God and find life. For this reason, Jesus called him the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning. When Adam sinned by disobeying God, the whole of the human race was cut off from the life of God. The result was death. The operation of the law of sin leading to death, has continued in every generation. When the law covenant was given to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, it did not remedy the problem. The law was holy and the commandments were holy, righteous and good. The law revealed the true nature of sin and its harmful consequences. However, because it had no capacity to deal with man’s propensity to sin, it only served to perpetuate the problem. It bound the people by covenant to the consequences of their sin and disobedience.
Gen 3:4-5  The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! (5) "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Joh 8:44  "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Rom 5:12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. Rom 7:7, 12  (7) What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." (12) So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died. Rom 14:7-9  For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; (8) for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (9) For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. James 4 - The Message version 1-2Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. 2-3You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. 4-6You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” 7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. 11-12Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? 13-15And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” 16-17As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.