The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 5:20-21
In this verse Paul is making the argument that the Mosaic law increased mankind’s sinning. In essence, Israel sinned more once the Ten Commandments came into play because now they were actually rebelling against God by doing things they now knew were in direct conflict with Him. It’s like when people drive however fast they want on the Autobahn highway because there is no speed limit posted. Sometimes no law = stupidity. Rebellion = stupidity. No law may mean to some that they can do whatever, whenever they want. But here in the US of A, there is a speed limit, so going as fast as you want is not permitted and we all know that even though some of us chose to break the law anyway. Likewise with the Mosaic Law and the Israelites. Before the law there was no real law, so who really counts sin as sin? But after the law was revealed, it increased the sinning as an unintended consequence because everyone was made aware of the law they were now breaking. God, however, had a different plan. One like non-other before. While sin increased, His plan of grace and redemption through Jesus Christ was in motion. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The reality is man was headed down a road of destruction and spiritual damnation because our sin was leading us to a death apart from God. But God’s son, Jesus Christ, settled our payment through grace when he died on the cross so that we might have eternal life through Him. Sin increased through the law, but Christ’s great gift of grace through Jesus’ righteousness overcame sin and death. This is the way God has saved everyone who believes in Jesus Christ no matter your past, or what you’ve done. You can have an abundance of grace through Him and eternal life with Him. Where we once were helpless and hopeless in our sin, God showed up. Through this great gift of grace, we can have joy, peace, and hope even in today’s broken world. ~ Amen
