0366. By the Law Is the Knowledge of Sin

By the Law Is the Knowledge of Sin

"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" (Rom_3:20).

1. It is absolute folly for people to seek entrance into Heaven by means of keeping the Law. Those whose religion is summed up by the words "Be good" and "Do good" are in a miserable plight. God never gave the law for salvation; it was given for the purpose of manifesting sin.

2. In Rom_5:20 we read, "The Law entered, that the offense might abound." That does not mean that the Law produced sin, but that it made manifest the fact of sin. The Law is a plumb-line, it shows where the wall is crooked. The Law is a looking-glass; it shows where the dirt is.

3. In Rom_7:7 we read: "I had not known sin but through the Law." Immediately the question is asked, "Is the Law sin?" The answer is given, "By no means." "The Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." This holy Law particularly set forth in the Ten Commandments, was not made death unto us, but the Law came that sin might appear sin, working death in us. "That sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."

4. Paul describes one who thought himself alive once, apart from the Law. But when the Law came, sin revived and he died. Thus the Law shuts every mouth, both of Jew and Gentile, and condemns the whole world as "guilty" before God. The Law says, "You are a sinner; you have transgressed the holy will of God."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR