But now the righteousness of God apart from the law
is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the
righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who
believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God, (Romans 3:21-23)
In these verses we see two functions of God's
law. First, it shows us where we go
wrong. Because of the law, we know that
we are helpless sinners and that we must come to Jesus Christ for mercy. Second, the moral code revealed in the law
can serve to guide our actions by holding up God's moral standards. We do not earn salvation by keeping the law
(no one except Christ ever kept or could keep God's law perfectly), but we do
please God when our lives conform to His revealed will for us.
