The following is what the bible has to say about what the function of the law is:
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin
– Romans 3:20
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
– Romans 5:12-13
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead
– Romans 7:7,8
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain
– Galations 2:21
From what God’s Word reveals, it can be ascertained that the law (i.e. the ten commandments, the law given/ written by God Himself) is the only indicator for a human being to determine whether they are living a sinful life or not. There is no other measure by which a human being can be made aware if they are righteous or unrighteous than through an assessment of their lives through the lens of the law of God.
Thus, from the quoted texts above several things can be gleaned:
- The law is a demarcation tool that separates that which is good from that which is evil.
- The law identifies what sin is, but cannot solve the problems that sin causes
- The law can aid in sin-prevention, it’s our guard-rail to prevent us from falling into sin. However, the law cannot aid in reconciling man to God. Once having fallen into sin, man cannot be saved by that which identifies sin (i.e. the law), but can only be saved by that (or He) which can destroy sin (i.e. Jesus Christ).
Thus as we conclude today’s devotion, I want to ask three questions, which I want you to reflect upon, given what we have read:
- Given that law only identifies what sin is, does that mean that Christians no longer need the law since Jesus’ death on the cross?
- Does suggesting the law no longer applies (is done away with) to the “born-again believer” imply that sin no longer exists?
- Did Jesus destroy sin on the cross or make provisions for us to live a sinless life in a sinful world?
As you ponder upon these questions I do hope it whets your appetite to continue this journey of discovery with me as in the next devotion, I will deal with the question of “What the Law is” as this is different from what the law “does”. So stay tuned.