Paul asks an obvious question. If the law reveals sin, and sin is committed, then is the law itself sin, or is the law itself bad?
And the answer is, no, the law is not bad, it is man that is bad.
The law does not commit sin, it merely defines and describes what sin is.
So the law is a good thing. Because it reveals what sin is, and in effect, where the line is drawn.
If there is no law, there is no infraction.
We studied that principle recently.
Walking down the street, and if there is no law against walking down the street, then you are not violating the law or committing a wrong. If however, there is a law against walking down the street, and then you do walk down the street, then you have violated the law. And if there is a sign that says, do not walk down the street, and you see the sign, then you are aware that you cannot walk down the street.
The same principle applies to the Mosaic law.
Paul uses the example of the tenth commandment, namely lust, but the principle applies across the board, to the entire realm of doctrine. Bible doctrine is written, and therefore made known to humanity. If you read the Bible, then you are aware of its content.
If you do not read the Bible, and are not aware of its content, your lack of awareness does not negate the content of the Bible. Most people do not know the content of all of the laws in all of the countries on the entire planet, but if you violate a law, even if you don’t know that you violate it, you are still committing a transgression. You are old enough to know better.
The law gives us fair warning. God’s law is perfect and fair and just.
The best way, and actually the only way, that you can know whether or not you are aligned correctly with Gods will, is to learn Gods will. And of course learning comes with a daily Bible study.
Not knowing does not exempt you from the repercussions of sin, because as a competent person, you violate the law by not learning, because you choose to not learn, when learning is available.
