Romans 7:4-6

⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. God’s children became dead to the law by the body of Christ. There was a time when even the elect were under the law, and liable to its curse and condemnation. They were not justified from eternity, but in time. God purposed to justify them from eternity, but “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons,” Galatians 4:4,5. Here we clearly learn that the LORD’s children became dead to the law by the body of Christ. Not by decree alone, nor by passing over our guilt and sin, but in the body of Christ, God became flesh, and worked out a perfect salvation, by His life of righteous obedience, and His sacrificial death. So complete then was that work, that He was raised from the dead, having once for all justified (acquitted) each of His elect forever. No longer are they then under the law as to condition or curse, they have been married to another, that is Christ. Here again, we see that although “in Christ” from eternity as to God’s purpose and will, yet, in time “married to Him,” reconciled and united upon completion of His death. His resurrection is proof that God had approved His work, and because of being united to Him in grace, and as their Substitute, then ONE with Him forever. There is therefore now NO condemnation, Romans 8:1. The fruit they bring forth to God is the life that He gives every elect, redeemed sinner by His Spirit, to live for His glory, and in faith to Him, putting NO confidence in the flesh, nor in any way under obligation to the Law .

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Here ‘In the flesh’, as opposed to being in the Spirit (Romans 7:8) refers to being in a natural state, before conversion, thinking our obedience to the law brought peace. However, it was just the opposite. Those attempts only brought a sense of guilt and condemnation, and are a death sentence to any who think they can stop sinning. The Law can never acquit of sin, only condemn it.