WHY DO WE NEED LAWS?

What is the purpose of LAW?

*According to The Judicial Learning Center, law is a crucial system that allows human society to function in a manner that is as safe, fair and profitable for as many people as possible. Obeying the law is not only beneficial to society as a whole, but it allows individuals to reap the protections of living in an orderly environment.

*The rule of law is designed to bond members of a society together and serve as a protection for their collective and individual rights. Laws prevent leaders from exerting corrupt influence over their followers and ensure that neighbors deal with one another fairly. Without the rule of law, there would be no organized way to protect an individual’s right to his own property and possessions.

*Fordham University traces law and order back to the Code of Hammurabi, an ancient Babylonian codex that connected certain basic laws to a mandate from the gods. Since that time, the perception of law has evolved into one of a basic human right that offers protection and dignity to the members of any group governed by it. When individuals fail to obey the law, they are removed from society until they can pay the debt accrued by violating its basic standards.

What was the purpose of God's Law?

Ÿ Once we understand the reason we need laws, then we can begin to understand why we need a savior. JESUS CHRIST.

Romans 5:12 NIV

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.

Romans 3:8-12 NIV

No One Is Righteous [9] What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. [10] As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. [12] 12 All have turned

away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one .”

Romans 4:13-15 NIV

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. [14] For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, [15] 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Romans 7:7 NIV

7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.

CONCLUSION: God gave the law to show man that he was broken and couldn't meet God's standard and to make man conscious of sin.

1 Timothy 1:8-20 NIV

[8] We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. [9] We also know that the 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, [10] for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers---and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine [11] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Ÿ Did the LAW bring about freedom? Or did the LAW bring about bondage?

Ÿ Do we gain freedom by following the law?

Psalm 19:7-12 NIV

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. [8] The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are

radiant, giving light to the eyes. [9] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. [10] They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. [11] By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

James 1:25 NIV

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Paul's autobiography

[12] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst.

[16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. [17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Ÿ What could describe Paul's life than this?

Ÿ It gives us a deep insight into why God chose him.

Ÿ It also provides confidence that what he says is TRUTH.

[18] Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

1 Timothy 4:14 NIV. (Reference)

14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

[19] holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. [20] Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

***Hymenaeus and Alexander were proponents of antinomianism, the belief that Christian morality was not required. They put away—"thrust from them"—faith and a good conscience; they wilfully abandoned the great central facts regarding Christ, and so they "made shipwreck concerning the faith."

[20 cont.] whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Ÿ What is the law that Christians follow?

The WORD of God. John 1:1, John 1:14, Revelation 19:13

God's Word is the LAW we are to live by. Read it. Study it. Teach it.

**** LIVE BY IT! DIE BY IT! THIS IS TRUE FREEDOM****