8.17 Understanding the law – the law magnifies and gives strength to sin

To do a good job in showing people their sins, the law actually magnified the sins of the people. Rom 7:13 says that “sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.”

If someone drove at 60 km/h, it wouldn’t seem unusual at all. But assuming that a speed limit is set at 40 km/h because the area is a school zone, and speed-limit signs are placed throughout that stretch of road, then anyone driving at 60 km/h would come under the spotlight. The speed became exceedingly high due to the speed-limit.

How does the law give strength to sin? Due to the sinful nature of man, the law actually resulted in the opposite outcome. Instead of curbing sin, it gave more strength to sin. 1 Cor 15:56 says that “the strength of sin is in the law.” Rom 7:5 says that “sinful passions were aroused by the law.”

Let me give an illustration. Have you noticed that the forbidden fruit seems to taste sweeter? Or when you tell a child not to read another person’s diary, he becomes even more tempted to read it?

Likewise, in the Garden of Eden, when God told Adam and Even not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the devil tempted them in that area. Think about it, the devil did not tempt them in any other area – only the action that was forbidden. The devil told Eve that God forbade them to eat because if they did so, they would be like God.

At the very moment that Eve was tempted of the forbidden fruit, the law gave strength to sin. She saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes and desirable to make one wise. She couldn’t help but succumb to the temptation. This explains why the strength of sin is in the law.

(Gen 3:5-6)
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.

Jesus said that those who are well do not need a doctor. By this, he meant that those who do not realize that they are sinners cannot receive justification. The law magnified the symptoms of sin. It helped the sick person realize that he is sick so that he can come to Doctor Jesus to receive the medicine for his cure.

Today, when we truly understand the law, we will embrace Jesus and the grace that He gives to us. We will treasure it like a man who escapes death, and gets another chance at life. We will love and treasure Jesus even more.