In Romans 7:14-25, Paul is using the literary tactic of IDENTIFICATION (see 1 Corinthians 9:22) in order to define carnality in order that he might win the carnal person to a specific kind of faith...that walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Paul himself is not carnal when he writes this but is utilizing a literary tactic in order to accomplish his purpose in this portion of the epistle.
For it is written,
2Pe 1:21, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Therefore Paul, in writing Romans 7:14-25, was not carnal but holy in the writing of this scripture, for he was in those moments penning holy scripture; and therefore the principle above applies that he, as a holy man of God, spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost.
Also, the doctrine of "sinless perfection" is not a joke; except perhaps in the fact that the words "sinless perfection" is a misnomer that is often used to create a straw man that is easily toppled by 1 John 1:8.
While the doctrine, as it is properly called, "entire sanctification" does not purport that we are without sin, or that sin is eradicated from the Christian if he has obtained that "second benefit" (2 Corinthians 1:15); but rather it teaches that the element of sin, while still dwelling within us, is rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour (Romans 6:14).
Thus, 1 John 1:8 does not say, "If we say that we
do no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"
Read it again.
1 John 1:8 does not contradict 1 John 3:5-9. They are in perfect harmony even as you take 1 John 3:5-9 literally as the scripture tells us to take it in 2 Corinthians 3:12 (kjv).
2Co 3:12, Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
For there is a difference between indwelling sin and practically sinning. One can have indwelling sin (rendered dead within him) and yet not be committing sins in the practical sense.
idolatry, unbelief, and self-effort are sins.
God does in fact tell us to repent of sins; because He says that if you are a worker (doer) of iniquity, you will be cast into the furnace of everlasting fire (Matthew 13:41-42; Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:41).
There is an obedience of faith and an obedience to the faith in holy scripture (Romans 1:5, Romans 16:26, 1 Thessalonians 1:3).
In Galatians 2:16, it is telling us that we will not be justified in attempting to obey a set of do's and don'ts in order to somehow earn our salvation...we do not obtain our salvation through law-keeping.
However, the one who is in Christ bears the fruit of the Spirit against which there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23); and therefore becoming a law-abiding citizen of the kingdom of heaven through bearing the fruit of the Spirit is a direct result of having been saved through faith in Christ's shed blood. For the blood of Jesus does not only justify (as per Romans 5:9)...it also sanctifies (Hebrews 13:12, Hebrews 10:29) and cleanses us from all sin (the transgression of the law) (1 John 1:7, 1 John 3:4).
So then, the venue by which we obtain this righteousness is not through attempting to obey a set of do's and don'ts...it is through faith in Jesus by whom we obtain the Spirit...and because we have the Spirit we bear the fruit of the Spirit.
It is a righteousness apart from the law that is nevertheless attested to by the law and the prophets (Romans 3:21) that it is righteousness indeed.
Now, Jesus is not going to force repentance on anyone...however, repentance is needed if anyone is going to be sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost...for Jesus and the Holy Spirit are a gentleman. They will not make your decision to repent for you...repentance being defined as a 180-degree turn away from sin and towards righteousness. And if you will not repent, they are not going to do the work of sanctification within you against your will.
Now this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand: that, after that ye have suffered a while, Christ is going to make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10-12).
Therefore you are going to be made perfect if you are truly a recipient of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But Jesus is not going to do that work within you against your will.
Do you see how repentance is needed?
As concerning Romans 7:14-25, Paul shows us what is the proper attitude as concerning if you are living in such a state. In Romans 7:24, he shows that the proper attitude is to be discontented with your lifestyle of sinning. This is the attitude of the one living a Romans 7:14-25 lifestyle who is saved or else about to be saved.
Finally, if we walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4).
So, this woman was contradicting herself by saying that it is important to crucify the flesh and walk according to the Spirit. Because she also said that repentance is "a sneaky way of getting someone to try to be justified by the law."
(Is she not doing the same thing? Is it not just a sneaky way to say, "be justified by law-keeping" if I tell you that I must crucify my flesh and walk according to the Spirit?)
Yet Jesus, John the Baptist, and Ezekiel (to name a few) all preached repentance as turning away from sins and changing your direction towards God.
The reality is that we are not justified
by law-keeping; but we
are justified
unto law-keeping.
Just like, in Ephesians 2:8-10, we are not saved "
by works" but we
are saved "
unto good works".
Hope this helps. :)
