New Covenant Sanctification

I'd like to start a discussion about the life of the believer under the New Covenant, the length of which will partly be determined by the amount of interest and feedback it receives.

One of the most important -- and most misunderstood -- passages dealing with this theme is Romans 6:14, where Paul says, "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace."

In the next few posts I'd like to unpack this statement, addressing such issues as what the apostle means by his under law/under grace distinction (Is it existential? Is it redemptive historical?), as well as the connection in Paul's mind between the dominion of the law and the dominion of sin. And of course, no discussion about sanctification would be complete without tackling the question of the identity of the "wretched man" in Romans 7.

Other issues that may arise include the validity of the law/gospel distinction insofar as it is propounded by contemporary Lutheranism and the nature of the New Covenant's "newness."

Feel free to weigh in....