Cameron Miranda
The question of whether God created humans unable to keep his law is a complex one. According to some, God did not create humans unable to keep his law. This is supported by the belief that God created humans in his image—upright, innocent, and holy. However, due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve, humans fell into a state of sin and guilt, becoming corrupt in nature and unable to keep God's law. This fall is often referred to as “The Fall,” marking the point in time when humans became unable to uphold God's law. The law, consisting of the Ten Commandments and 613 articles, was given to expose humanity's sinfulness and need for a savior, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| God created man good | True |
| God created man after his own image | True |
| God created man upright, innocent, and holy | True |
| God created man with the ability to serve and glorify God | True |
| God gave man the law so that he might realise his sinfulness | True |
| God gave man the law to expose iniquities | True |
| God gave man the law to lead him to Christ | True |
| God does not judge man by the law once they have come to Christ | True |
| God gave man the law so that he might be justified by faith | True |
| God gave the law to show that we need a saviour | True |
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What You'll Learn
God's law and the Fall
God's law is holy and good, an expression of his character and all that is fundamentally right and wrong. However, humans are born in sin and guilt, with a corrupt nature, and are therefore unable to keep God's law. This is due to the Fall, when Adam and Eve, the first humans, sinned by disobeying God, bringing a curse of sin and death upon all creation.
Adam and Eve were created in God's image, upright, innocent, and holy, capable of serving and glorifying their Creator. God gave them the genuine choice of disobedience, to rebel against Him by eating from the forbidden tree. Satan tempted them with the lie that God couldn't be trusted, and that freedom was found apart from God and his law. When Adam believed and acted on this lie, sin entered the world, infecting all mankind from that time on.
As a result of the Fall, humans are now enslaved to sin, no longer seeking God. However, when Christ came, he was the second Adam, and where the first Adam failed, the second Adam succeeded. Through his obedience and sacrifice on the cross, Jesus Christ brought life and grace to those who believe in him. Christians are no longer under the law but under grace, justified by faith in Christ.
The law was given to expose our sinfulness and our need for a Saviour. It is perfect and righteous, but humans are unable to fully keep it due to our sinful nature. This does not mean that people are devoid of all goodness, as we are still made in God's image and capable of doing good. However, sin has corrupted our ability to love and obey God wholeheartedly.
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Sin and guilt
The Bible reveals that God created human beings in his image, which included being morally upright and sinless. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they brought sin into the world, and this sin nature has been passed down to all humans (Romans 5:12). As a result, everyone is now born with a sin nature and is unable to keep God's law perfectly.
The Bible is clear that no one can keep the law perfectly, and that sin is a universal problem. In Romans 3:23, it says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This means that everyone has broken God's law and is guilty before Him. The apostle Paul also wrote that "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
The law of God serves as a standard of perfection that no one can meet. James 2:10 states that "whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point has become guilty of all of it." This means that breaking even one part of the law is as guilty as breaking the entire law. The law also acts as a mirror, showing us our sin and our need for a Saviour. In this way, the law leads us to Christ, who is the only one who can save us from our sin and guilt.
While Christians are no longer under the condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1), they are still called to obey God's commands. However, their motivation for doing so should be love for God and others, rather than legalistic obedience (1 John 4:7-8). Christ fulfilled the law, and through faith in Him, believers are made right with God and forgiven of their sins (Colossians 2:14). This forgiveness extends not just to past sins, but also to future ones, as Christians are declared righteous through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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God's image and likeness
The Bible teaches that God created humans in his image and likeness. This is mentioned in Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness". The Hebrew word for "image" is "tselem", which means something carved or cut out. "Likeness" is used to emphasise that man is like God, though not divine.
Being created in God's image and likeness means that humans were made to resemble God. This is not in the sense of having flesh and blood, as God is a spirit (John 4:24). However, Adam's body did mirror the life of God, as it was created in perfect health and was not subject to death. The image of God refers to the immaterial part of humanity, setting us apart from the animal world.
Over the years, writers have identified different facets of the mind and soul that show divine likeness. Augustine, for example, proposed that the image of God resides in man’s memory, understanding, and will. Others have pointed to man’s self-awareness, personality, conscience, and capacity for moral decision-making as evidence of being created in God's image.
Being created in God's image also means that humans are God's representatives on Earth. As God rules over all the Earth as Lord, so too does he want humans to rule over the Earth in his stead. This involves being responsible stewards who care for God's creation.
Although humans were created in God's image, sin has corrupted our ability to love and obey God fully. Through Christ, we are forgiven of our sins and given a new nature, restoring God's image within us.
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The role of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is believed to have been born of a virgin, and during his mortal life, he taught the Jews how to follow God, performed miracles, and gathered disciples. His teachings often took the form of parables, and he emphasised the importance of obedience to God. Jesus's crucifixion is understood as a redemptive sacrifice, atoning for the sins of humanity.
Jesus is also known as the "second Adam". This concept refers to how the first Adam, or the biblical figure Adam, brought death and sin into the world through his disobedience. In contrast, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, brought life and salvation through his obedience and sacrifice on the cross. Jesus took upon himself the sins of mankind and, by his resurrection, made it possible for humans to enter heaven.
Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus restored humanity's relationship with God. His role is to guide mankind back to dwell in God's presence and to provide an example for people to follow. Jesus Christ is also a source of peace and hope for Christians, as they believe that following him leads to greater peace and happiness in life.
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The law's purpose
God's law, as outlined in the Bible, is a set of commandments, statutes, and precepts that guide people on how to live their lives. The purpose of God's law is multifaceted and serves several important roles in the spiritual journey of believers.
Firstly, God's law acts as a moral compass, showing people how to love and behave towards God and others. It establishes a standard of righteousness and reveals God's character, expressing what is fundamentally right and wrong. By following God's law, believers can align their actions with God's will and develop a deeper relationship with Him.
Secondly, God's law functions as a mirror, exposing sin and revealing people's inherent sinfulness and need for a Saviour. It shows that people cannot achieve perfect righteousness on their own and need to turn to Christ for justification and salvation. This recognition of sinfulness is an important step in the spiritual journey, leading believers to seek redemption and a new nature through Christ.
Thirdly, God's law serves as a restraint in society, promoting freedom and liberty by curbing wickedness and providing guard rails to keep people on the path of life. It helps maintain order and harmony within communities, guiding believers to make ethical choices and restraining them from harmful or selfish actions.
Lastly, God's law is a source of comfort and protection, like a guardian or babysitter, until believers are ready to embrace their identity as God's children through faith in Christ. It prepares people for the coming of Christ and sets the foundation for the establishment of lasting peace in the Kingdom of God on Earth.
While some Christians may view the law as a burden or an obstacle, it ultimately points them towards grace and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, believers are no longer "under the law" but "under grace", finding freedom and justification through their faith.
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Frequently asked questions
No, God did not create us unable to keep His law. God created man good, upright, innocent, and holy, capable of serving and glorifying God.
We are unable to keep God's law because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve. When Adam sinned, our nature became enslaved to sin so that we no longer want or seek God.
The solution to our inability to keep God's law is Jesus Christ, the second Adam. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the supervision of the law but under grace.
The law was given to us so that we might realize our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It exposes our sin and leads us to Christ.
