Law Was Given To Show How Sinful Sin Was

mfblume · #1 03-15-2008, 05:48 PM

Here are some notes from Bob Felts, who did a great job describing why law came.

What is the purpose of the Law?

God gave the Law to Israel for several reasons.

First, the Law was given to show God's standards of conduct. Those who measure up though obedience to these standards are said to be righteous, while those who do not measure up because of disobedience to the Law are said to be unrighteous.

If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, we will be in the right. [Dt 6:25]

Second, the law was given to make us aware of sin. In Romans 3:20b, Paul wrote:

...for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Paul repeats this idea in Romans 7:7:

...Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."

Third, the law was given to make sin increase. This is a concept which many find difficult to believe, because we think that the purpose of law is to cut down on sin. Our societies are based on the assumption that law makes man behave. Yet the Bible is clear that the exact opposite is true -- the Law makes man misbehave. In Romans 5:20 Paul wrote:

But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more...

And again, Paul repeats this idea in Romans 7:13:

.... It was sin, working death in me through what is good (the Law), in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

When God gave the Law, sin increased. The reason for this is simple. Sin is that which is at enmity with God. In the presence of God's requirements sin reacts to fight against them with the result that we do those things, whether in thought, word, or deed, which are contrary to God. This is why, in 1 Cor 15:56, Paul stated:

...the power of sin is the law.

Sin "feeds" on law (any law -- not just "the Law"). Our will power can suppress some of the tendency of sin, but even the strongest cannot prevail against the power of sin.

Fourth, the Law was given to lead us to Christ.

So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
(Gal 3:24, NASB)

Given the knowledge of sin in our lives, and given the power of sin in our lives, the only hope for us is not more Law, but the destruction of sin through the Lord Jesus Christ.

A_PoMo · #2 03-15-2008, 06:05 PM

If the purpose of the law was to point out sin. What's the point of that?

mfblume · #3 03-15-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

If the purpose of the law was to point out sin. What's the point of that?

It was already said:

Quote:

Given the knowledge of sin in our lives, and given the power of sin in our lives, the only hope for us is not more Law, but the destruction of sin through the Lord Jesus Christ.

A_PoMo · #4 03-15-2008, 06:40 PM

Sorry, while I agree with the truth of that statement it stops short of the real purpose. The purpose wasn't to crush sin as much as it was to point to Christ who fulfilled the law. Did he fulfill it simply to save us from sin or so that we could live abundant life? How did Christ fulfill the law? Simply by going to Calvary or by demonstrating how to live a life that fulfills the purpose of the law which is righteousness and justice. He said that we miss the point of the law if our righteousness doesn't exceed that of the Pharisees. Doesn't sound like he's pointing to something negative like sin, he's pointing to something positive. He said that the whole law and prophets swing on the law of love. I would say he's telling us something there. The law isn't about sin, it's about love. It's just taking us to love, Christ, through the backdoor. We, like they, are human and tend to focus on the negative. But Christ came to tell us we got it wrong and we need to focus on the positive.

Gotta run.

mfblume · #5 03-15-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

Sorry, while I agree with the truth of that statement it stops short of the real purpose. The purpose wasn't to crush sin as much as it was to point to Christ who fulfilled the law.

the fact is that Paul said knowledge of sin came by the law. Whether or not that is the FULLNESS of why law came, you cannot say that was not the purpose. Purpose includes every and all purposes.

Quote:

Did he fulfill it simply to save us from sin or so that we could live abundant life?

Both. One led to the other.

Quote:

How did Christ fulfill the law? Simply by going to Calvary or by demonstrating how to live a life that fulfills the purpose of the law which is righteousness and justice.

Again, both.

Quote:

He said that we miss the point of the law if our righteousness doesn't exceed that of the Pharisees. Doesn't sound like he's pointing to something negative like sin, he's pointing to something positive. He said that the whole law and prophets swing on the law of love. I would say he's telling us something there. The law isn't about sin, it's about love.

I never said it was not about love. We must understand that law had to show how sinful sin really was in order to convince people to come to Christ. That cannot be denied. Showing how exceedingly sinful that sin really was is part the reason for law.

Quote:

It's just taking us to love, Christ, through the backdoor. We, like they, are human and tend to focus on the negative. But Christ came to tell us we got it wrong and we need to focus on the positive.

Gotta run.

I agree. But showing how bad sin was is all part of it.

A_PoMo · #6 03-15-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I never said it was not about love. We must understand that law had to show how sinful sin really was in order to convince people to come to Christ. That cannot be denied. Showing how exceedingly sinful that sin really was is part the reason for law.

I agree. But showing how bad sin was is all part of it.

We agree then. That's my point. My point is that the PURPOSE and POINT of the law was to lead people to Christ. It's PURPOSE and POINT was not to show sins sinfulness. There's a subtle but significant difference there.

It is better to say "Showing the depravity of sin is PART of the Law's existence." and "The purpose of the Law was to point people to Christ's Law of Love." To say that the Law's point purpose has to do with sin misses the point and stops short of the broader, more important, essential point which is Christ, the fulfillment of the Law.

We're in essential agreement in principle. I'm just quibbling about perspective and word usage. Sorry if it seems contrarian.

mfblume · #7 03-15-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

We agree then. That's my point. My point is that the PURPOSE and POINT of the law was to lead people to Christ. It's PURPOSE and POINT was not to show sins sinfulness. There's a subtle but significant difference there.

It is better to say "Showing the depravity of sin is PART of the Law's existence." and "The purpose of the Law was to point people to Christ's Law of Love." To say that the Law's point purpose has to do with sin misses the point and stops short of the broader, more important, essential point which is Christ, the fulfillment of the Law.

We're in essential agreement in principle. I'm just quibbling about perspective and word usage. Sorry if it seems contrarian.

I see what you are saying. And I agree.