Over the past several weeks, we’ve been taking a deep dive into the Ten Commandments. Having a better understanding of what the Law requires begs the question of whether any of us can measure up. To keep the Law of God is a daunting task. The sad truth is none of us can keep the Law.
Since the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, only Jesus has lived a life in perfect obedience to God’s laws. No man or woman has even come close, and no one ever will. Every day, we break the Law of God with our thoughts, words, and actions. No matter how much we desire to keep the Law, our flesh is too weak.
You might wonder what the point of the Ten Commandments is if we can never keep them. It’s a fair question, but one that is easily answered. The Law shows we can never measure up to God’s standard. It makes it painfully obvious we are guilty before His holiness. Above all, the Law demonstrates our need for a Savior. If we can’t do it on our own, we’re going to need someone who can. Since the Law convicts, we are desperate for a Savior.
The sentence for breaking any of the Law is death (Romans 6:23). Within that same verse is the wonderful truth of what we gain once pardoned from our transgression. Thanks to the blood of Jesus, we are no longer condemned to death but delivered to eternal life in His presence.
Each of us is born in sin. Even if we could keep the Law perfectly for our entire lives, our humanity would still condemn us because our very nature is sinful. We are fallen, unable to enter the presence of a holy God. Only through the blood of Jesus can we be restored, renewed, and forgiven. Since we cannot keep the Law, it is imperative we accept the gift of God’s salvation through His Son Jesus. Without Christ, we are condemned and ultimately doomed.
Even though we can’t keep the Law, it still serves a vital purpose. It is a touchstone to which we should all aspire. The Ten Commandments give us a glimpse of the love and holiness of God. We want to be like Him, and the Law shows us what such a life might look like. So, the Law reveals the holiness of God, provides a measuring stick for our lives, and shows the necessity for intervention on our behalf. Without the Law, we would not understand our need for a Savior.
The fact we cannot keep the Law should not dissuade us from trying to keep it. Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commands (John 14:15). Our love for Jesus is all the reason we need to do our best to keep His Law. When we break it, we should not allow discouragement to creep in, but use our failure as an opportunity to thank Him for His sacrifice and salvation. Worship Him for His holiness and praise Him for providing a way out of condemnation and into eternal life. We cannot keep the Law perfectly, but we can revere it and be thankful for the gift that it is.