What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” - Romans 7:7
We are the Sinners, not the Law
When Paul speaks the words above, I feel as if he is saying that we don’t know that we are sinners unless we are given rules and laws to stand by. But is it really as simple as that? I want so badly to believe that being born with a brain and heart, we should automatically know that to hurt someone by murder or theft or greed would be wrong. Without being conscious of our community and fellow humans, we are going against the abilities God created in us; the ability to love and feel empathy.
Yet, I have seen the evolution of the human conscious. Things that were once considered sinful or corrupt are now the norm. Does that mean that sin is now more acceptable or is the definition of sin that has changed? I don’t believe God’s Commandments are fluid; actually, they are pretty straight forward. God created the 10 commandments for us to abide by, not just some of the time but for all time. Still many of the people we know break these rules daily; good, solid servants of God. They want their neighbor’s home, their husband, their education or income. They don’t honor their parents, or even care for them. They lie in court so as not to have to pay that much needed child support; they steal from their jobs and the people who have given them their livelihood. And the killing of our young people seems to never end. Inevitably these are the people who blame the law and not themselves who have broken it.
Lord, I ask for your help to complete each day as a child of your grace, to help others, to love with all my heart, to bear witness to the goodness of this world you so beautifully made. Help us all, oh Lord, to follow your laws and commandments, not only for ourselves but the good of all humankind. Thank you for your abundant love and forgiveness. In Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.