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The Purpose Of The Law


We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. (I Timothy 1:8-11) 

What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. (Romans 7:7-11) 

What is the purpose of the Law? Paul says that the law is meant to show us what is wrong, to show us that we are wrong, and to take away our excuses when we do wrong. Perhaps by extension, the law is how a society can justify protecting itself from those who do wrong. Scripture makes it clear that when someone does what is wrong; their blood is on their own head. 
         On Facebook, one meme circulating asks us to sign a petition to stop illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is already illegal. Signing a petition won’t change the minds of those who illegally immigrate or of those who exploit them. Building the wall won’t end illegal immigration, either. 
         A better example is the idea that if it is made illegal for people to own guns, that violence on the streets will decrease. Guns are very restricted in Chicago. Last year there were 762 murders in that city, and the 68 over the July 4th weekend are simply adding to the lead this year has over last. Putting the rose-colored glasses aside, laws do not prevent crime. Law aren’t meant to prevent crime. Laws are meant to deal with the criminal once the law has been broken. 
         Passing laws does nothing about crime except identify it. Laws do not make the right wrong, or the wrong right. Laws do not make the good bad or the bad good. Good laws do nothing to good people. Bad laws do more harm to the good than to the bad. If you want to reduce the crime in a city – change the thinking of the people, not the laws.

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