Laws Don't Fix Problems

Romans 3:20; 7:7-11

Outrage, panic, grief, empathy, and sympathy; whenever our nation is hit with a major tragedy, we all feel these sentiments. There is nothing wrong with this. We should feel these things. It is what makes us human. In the case of terrorist attacks, it is often what differentiates us from the attackers. Feelings are what motivate us to pray for victims. They drive us to provide aid when necessary. But, when we are controlled by our feelings, we rush into decisions that often have negative consequences and do not accomplish what they were intended to.

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“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:20

”What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.“

Romans 7:7-11

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Anytime we have a mass shooting, there is a segment of our nation that begins calling for more gun laws. I understand the sentiment. I really do. That being said, I do not agree with this position. Many people will assume it is politics that motivates my position. They might be surprised to know that it is based on the Bible. Stay with me on this. I assure you, I am not going to misrepresent this verse, and I will apply to the broader context as well.

Every time this debate comes up, someone (including myself) says, "You can't legislate morality". Without a Biblical context though, this simply sounds like a talking point. So, I want to explain why it is more than a talking point. The verse above, speaking about God's law, tells us that the law cannot justify (save). Actually, it has the opposite effect. In Romans 7:7-11, Paul says that the law actually made him aware of sin. Due to his sin nature, he became more apt to sin when he became aware of the law. Let me give you a personal example. Many years ago, I got to tour Turner Field (the former Atlanta Braves Stadium). On the tour the guide told us, "Do not touch the field". As soon as she turned her back, I reached down and slapped the field. Had she said nothing at all, I probably wouldn't have done it. However, as soon as I knew I wasn't supposed to, I was tempted.

Paul said, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin". Laws tell us what we should or should not do. They do not force people to do the right thing. A person that is intent on doing the right thing will obey the law to the best of their ability. A person who does not have the heart to do right, will not. It is that simple. Paul is letting us know that the issue is not the law (nor is it any inanimate object). The issue is the sin nature within all of us.

When God wanted to save humanity, He did not change the 10 Commandments into "The 20 Commandments". Laws have no power to justify us. The word justify simply means "to be made just as though I never sinned". Laws do not keep us from sinning, and they do not pardon us from our sins. The only power the law has is to condemn us. Jesus said, "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:41-42).

I need to say one final thing, and then give you a note about the next devotion. Inevitably, whenever this message is proclaimed, someone will ask, "Well if God knew that the law could only condemn us, why did He give it to us in the first place?". That is a great question. Going back to our text above, Paul anticipated such a question and addressed it himself. Look at verse 7, " What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet'." Paul said that sin was already present within him, but the law taught him what that sin was. The issue was not with the law, but with him. The law points out three things:

1. God's standard of righteousness

2. Our sinful nature

3. Our need to be pardoned if we are to avoid the punishment of our sins

NOTE: There were no solutions or answers provided in this devotion as to what we can do. I will provide those in the next devotion.

Father, Your law is holy and good. You gave it to us so that we could know You better. We break Your law and all stand condemned except for the pardon that can be received through Jesus. We get angry and outraged when people break laws that hurt us and those we love. Help us to understand that breaking Your laws offends and angers You; and yet You still love us.