The Sinfulness of Sin

It’s not the fault of the commandments that we are sinful. The law is holy, righteous, and good. “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good” (Romans 7:12).

Consider the words of the Psalmist.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9).

And so the law being good doesn’t produce sin, rather it exposes it. Paul goes on to say that the law was given to show just how exceedingly sinful sin is.

“Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful” (Romans 7:13)

Humanity died long before the law came into being, because they did not live according to the will of God. And so God gave the law so that sin, that which is directly against the nature and will of God, would be exposed and humanity could be aware of their violation.

Humanity had to be shown their sin so that they would recognize their need for a Savior who could and would deliver them from sin and its terrible consequences – death and eternal separation from God.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

But even though the law is good, it doesn’t save, it just points to our need for a Savior.