What is the purpose of the Law?

The purpose of the law was to define sin, make people aware of their sinful nature, and show that we could not perfectly follow God’s laws. The law showed transgressions and that all people fall short of making themselves righteous before God. The Law revealed our need for a Savior, Jesus Christ, because righteousness through the Law is impossible.

Romans 3:20 – 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.

The the real function of the Law is to make us recognize and be conscious of sin.

Romans 7:7 – 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.

The law was the only way we could learn what sin means.

1 John 3:4 – Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Whoever practices sin, practices transgression of the law or lawlessness because sin is transgression of the law or lawlessness.

James 2:9 – But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

So in this example, if you show partiality, prejudice, favoritism you are committing sin and are convicted guilty by the Law as violators, offenders or transgressors.

Law came in to expand and increase the trespass.

Romans 5:20-21 – Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The law was brought in to increase and expand the awareness of the sin, meaning that more people would be sinning. But where sin increased, there was even more of God's grace.

The Power of Sin and Law

1 Corinthians 15:56 – The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

This means that sin is what causes death, and the law gives sin its power.

Romans 5:13 - (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed (attributed, put on account) when there is no law.

Sin is not charged against anyone when there is no law against it.

Romans 4:15 – Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

The law brings God's wrath on those who disobey it. But if there is no law, then there is nothing to disobey. No one can follow the law perfectly, the Law results in God's wrath against sin, but where there is no law, there is no violation of it either.

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Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

- The Christian King