I'm not sure what translation you are using, but let me quote from the NKJV.Romans 8:7-8 says "because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8:8
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
It is the "carnal mind" that is set against God. What is a carnal mind? One that seeks out the pleasures of the flesh. This verse speaks nothing to our election. It speaks only to the condition of believers and non-believers.
Verses 8:5 clearly teach that man chooses whether to follow after the spirit or the flesh.
8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not claiming that man is capable of doing this on his own.
Do you believe that Christ's righteousness was imputed to Old Testament Saints? Do you believe His blood covered them? Do you believe all their righteousness was as filthy rags before God, as Isaiah says?
Yes I believe all this, but I don't believe that God arbitrarily chose who he would save, but rather those who had faith in God and sought Him.
Do you believe there is none righteous, as Romans says?
Yes, I believe what Paul said. That there is no one righteous according to the law.
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Robin