Answer: No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Dear Neighbor,
The preacher in Ecclesiastes 7:20 wrote:
Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.
This is not to say that it is ok to sin because sin is always wrong. We were created in the image of God; (Gn. 1:27) therefore, we are to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt. 5:48) But no one is perfect; all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) We all have evil thoughts, (Gn. 8:21) we all speak evil from the mouth, (Jam. 3:8) in many things we offend and we know that it ought not be this way. (Jam.3:10
If no one is able to perfectly keep the commandments of God and does daily break them in thought, word, and deed; what is the purpose of the law?
- The Law closes the mouth from saying, “I am good.” (Rom. 3:19a)
- The Law makes us accountable to God. (Rom. 3:19b)
- The Law brings the knowledge that we have sinned. (Rom. 3:20, 7:7)
- The Law shows us our need of Christ. (Gal. 3:24)
Many in our society and even in the church scoff at the commandments of God. Everyone knows in their heart that the law is God’s standard but they have fallen short of meeting the commands of God. However, there is good news, a man is justified in the sight of God by faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, apart from the works of the law. (Rom. 3:28)
Does this mean that we should go on sinning? Are we to continue in sin because we are forgiven in Jesus Christ? “May it never be!” We have died to sin in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 6:1-2) We have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live but Christ lives in us; therefore, the life that we now live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Gal. 3:20)
Michael Peek
Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake
