In Romans 7, Paul is addressing the Jews... we need to understand that. The Jews have the written Torah (law) and oral Torah (law)... which one do you think Paul was referring to that will lead you to death?
THE ENTIRE PURPOSE FOR THE LAW, CAN BE SUMMED UP IN THESE VERSES:
Romans 7:7 (HCSB)
7 What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! On the contrary,
I would not have known sin if it were not for the law. For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet.
Romans 3:20 (HCSB)
20 For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law,
because the knowledge of sin ⌊comes⌋ through the law.
The LAW was NEVER a means by which we could make yourselves RIGHTEOUS in GOD's sight. IT WAS ALWAYS SO HIGH OF A STANDARD, THAT WE WOULD FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP IT PERFECTLY, THEREBY, DRIVING US TO OUR KNEES SEEKING A MESSIAH TO SAVE US.
James 2:10 (HCSB)
10 For whoever keeps the entire law,
yet fails in one point, is guilty of ⌊breaking it⌋ all.
Old Testament Saints were those who BELIEVED that God would send a MESSIAH to pay for their SINS.
New Testament Saints are those who BELIEVE that God DID send a MESSIAH to pay for our SINS.
IT IS THE SAME AS ABRAHAM'S FAITH.
NEVER was the Law a system where we out of our own strength could make ourselves Right with GOD.
Both Groups of SAINTS were SAVED do GOD's Mercy and Grace, though a FAITH that was not of ourselves.
Isaiah 1:13-18 (HCSB)
13
Stop bringing useless offerings. ⌊Your⌋ incense is detestable to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies— I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.
14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with ⌊them⌋.
15 When you lift up your hands ⌊in prayer⌋, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil.
17 Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.
The JEWS LOWERED the LAW OF GOD, to where they COULD KEEP IT THEMSELVES, and thought they were RIGHT WITH GOD, Because they Could KEEP the Lowered Standard ritualistically,
they stopped SEEKING a MESSIAH who could DO IT ALL.
Now we have another Generation,
that have Stopped SEEKING a MESSIAH who could DO IT ALL, and think their LOWERED STANDARD, of KEEPING the LAW makes themselves, out of their own efforts, RIGHT WITH GOD. Anytime your WORKS have a MOTIVE of improving your SALVATION,
IT IS FOOLISHNESS.
You need to become 100% dependent on HIS MERCY and GRACE.
If you want your SINS washed as white as snow, REPENT, and stop thinking your deeds have made you right with GOD, and
LEARN to rely on what JESUS DID ON THE CROSS. HIS MERCY, and HIS GRACE, will keep, your Sins already washed as White as SNOW. Then you will be free indeed, and then you can use that freedom to
agapē LOVE GOD by striving to become Obedient out of PURE LOVE.
Until you do, you are in the same sinking ship as the JEWS that GOD described in
Isaiah 1:13-18