How does the new nature relate to keeping the law?
The new nature does not attempt to keep the law by the energy of the flesh, since that is impossible. Under the Holy Spirit's guidance, the believer serves in newness of Spirit, and when the Spirit leads and directs, the law takes care of itself. Deliverance from the law means this is a whole new ball game.
Les explains that the issue is whether the believer lives under the new nature, prompted by the Holy Spirit, or still tries to satisfy old Adam. Old Adam may recognize that the law is right and try to keep it, but he knows he cannot, so he soon gives up. The new nature does not have that problem. Under the Holy Spirit's guidance, the believer realizes the law cannot be kept by the energy of the flesh; but when the Spirit leads, guides, and directs, the law takes care of itself. Verse 6 says believers are delivered from the law to serve in newness of Spirit, not the oldness of the letter, and that newness means a whole new ball game after receiving the new nature.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
More Questions
What happens when the old nature tries to keep the law?
Old Adam can recognize that things like stealing are wrong, but because he knows he cannot keep the law anyway, he soon gives up.