“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8, KJV 1900)
Certain things are just impossible. It is impossible for a man to lift himself by his own hair or to fly by flapping his arms. As I have already stated in previous posts, the Bible teaches that it is impossible for man to save himself by good works. It is also impossible for the unsaved person to please God.
Many will read this and vehemently disagree with this statement. They will say, what about the Buddhist or the Hindu that has never done anything but try to bring peace. Look, this is not my declaration, it is the declaration of the Word of God. Paul stated it in verse eight of Romans 8. Moreover, the writer of Hebrews wrote this, “without faith it is impossible to please” God (Hebrews 11:6, KJV 1900). The Bible teaches that only the believer can please God.
In verse seven of the passage, Paul indicates that “the mind set on the flesh,” the carnal and unregenerate man, is “hostile toward God.” The reason is that the mind set on the flesh does not submit to the law of God. In fact, Paul states that it cannot. Why? It is because by nature, the unsaved person is driven by the flesh and not the Spirit. He has no propensity to seek God and His righteousness.
We, who believe have a unique inner driving nature that causes us to hunger for the things of God. While we still struggle with the flesh, it is no longer our master. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the master of our lives, and true believers seek to do His will from the heart.
Renewing the Heart 