Men in Their Natural State Cannot Please God
J. Benson. Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. To please God is of infinite importance. Since He is omniscient and omnipresent, we cannot escape His observation: since He is Almighty, He has our life, and all things belonging to us, continually at His disposal, can make us happy or miserable in a thousand different ways. He is, therefore, the most dreadful enemy or the most beneficial friend we can have. Of what infinite consequence, then, to be in His favour. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY BEING "IN THE FLESH." This expression is often used to signify being in the body (Philippians 1:22, 24; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 4:1, 2, 6; 1 John 4:2, 3); but this is not its meaning here, for many in the body have pleased God. Nor is the living merely in sensuality and the sins of the flesh referred to (Galatians 5:16-21), though undoubtedly such cannot please God. But what is intended is the being in our natural state (Genesis 6:3 compared with Genesis 8:21; Ephesians 2:3). This implies — 1. The being unpardoned, or in a state of condemnation in consequence of not being "in Christ" (Romans 7:4-6; Romans 8:1). 2. Unregenerated (John 3:6). 3. Under the power of our animal and corrupt nature, the "law in our members" leading us captive to sir? 4. "Carnally minded"; minding the body rather than the soul; visible and temporal things rather than invisible and eternal; preferring nature to grace, and the creature to the Creator; being governed by carnal maxims; actuated by carnal views; influenced by carnal desires; engaged in carnal pursuits. II. IN WHAT SENSE SUCH "CANNOT PLEASE GOD," AND HOW THIS APPEARS TO BE A FACT. 1. While thus in the flesh, such persons are not in God's favour. (1) They are not humbled and penitent, without which none can be accepted (Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:10). (2) They are not believers; and without faith there is no justification, nor can we please God (Hebrews 11:4-6; John 3:36; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5). (3) Their carnal mind is not subject to His law. Nay, is enmity against Him. That we should be spiritually minded is for our good; but the carnal mind opposes this good, and "to be carnally minded is death." 2. Hence it follows that their services are not accepted of God, and that their ways do not please Him. Not being justified, they have not love to God (Romans 5:5), and without love no service is, or can be, pleasing to God. 3. But perhaps it will be objected — (1) "Cannot they pray, hear the Word?" etc. Yes; but not "worship God in spirit and truth," which, while destitute of the Spirit, they cannot do, and not doing, they are incapable of pleasing Him: they do not mix faith with the word that is heard, "receive the truth in love," and obey it from the heart. (2) But "cannot they preserve an unblamable conduct, give alms," etc.? Certainly; but this does not please God, as not being done from a right principle, "faith working by love": to a right end, the glory of God; in a right spirit, humility, purity, benevolence, zeal, etc.; and by a right rule, the will of God, and out of conscience toward Him (Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). III. THE SURE MARK WHEREBY WE MAY KNOW WHETHER WE ARE IN THIS STATE (ver. 9). 1. By receiving the Spirit we pass from a carnal to a spiritual state (John 3:6). 2. By the Spirit dwelling in us we continue in that state (text; Galatians 5:16-25). Hereby we know that we are in the Spirit (1 John 3:24). 3. But we must receive and keep this Spirit as a Spirit of — (1) Adoption (vers. 15-16; Galatians 4:4); (2) Regeneration (Titus 3:5; John 3:4-5); productive of its proper fruits. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. WEB: Those who are in the flesh can't please God.