When I say a dead man, I’m talking about a person who’s dead to God. Although he might be a functioning human being –breathing, thinking and moving– he doesn’t have eternal life. Paul says that such a person is dead in his sins and transgressions. (Ephesians 2:1-6, Colossians 2:13-14)
The Law –whether it be that which was designed into our innermost being, or the Ten Commandments– is intentionally condemning. It’s to show that we are indeed separated from God. The first couple, back in the Garden, had life with God. They had personal fellowship with Him. After the fall, that fellowship was lost –death entered the world and that became the norm for people.
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20)
A graphic example of how the Law –specifically the Ten Commandments– works is this.
I live in Texas and it’s common to see armadillos that have tried to cross the road and get hit by cars. Now if you were one those armadillos and were able to see yourself from a distance. Here are some conclusions that you might reach:
- If your shell is cracked open and your internal organs are exposed, you’re probably dead. That might correlate to your knowing your desire for another’s spouse.
- If you see that your head is flat with tire tracks impressed on it, you’re probably dead. That could be like knowing your anger towards someone equates to murder.
- If your intestines are spread over the roadway, you’re probably dead. Maybe that’s like knowing your heart does not have God first in all parts of your life.
- If there are fly larvae hatching from your body, you’re probably dead. You can pick which commandment this might equate to.
I’m not saying that if you’re still trying to follow the Law, that you’re dead. The point is that the Law is to be a mirror to see the natural human condition –how we’re born into this world –without His life. It’s not a set of rules to live by. On the contrary, it’s to take us to God for eternal life through His Son Jesus.
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:21-22)
The crux of this passage is that the Law is like a school teacher who leads us to Him so that we can then leave the Law behind and live by faith –trusting God for everything. We are instead to be led by His Holy Spirit who leads us into a much fuller life than the Law ever could.
