Understanding a Key Christian Teaching from Paul’s Letters
Let’s break down what the Scriptures mean when they say, “the law was good but it cannot save,” in everyday language.
The Law Shows Us What’s Right—and Where We Fall Short
First, when people talk about “the law” in the Bible, they usually mean the rules God gave to the Israelites—like the Ten Commandments and the other laws found in the Old Testament. These laws are good. They show us what is right and wrong, what God loves and what he doesn’t, and they set a standard for how to live a holy, good life.
Think of the law like a mirror. When you look in a mirror, you see if there’s dirt on your face. The mirror helps you see the problem, but the mirror itself can’t clean you. In the same way, the law helps people see where they’re not measuring up to God’s standard—it points out sin (the ways we fall short).
The Law Can’t Fix the Problem
Here’s where the second part comes in: the law is good, but it can’t save. Just knowing the rules and trying to keep them doesn’t solve the problem of sin. The law shows us what’s wrong, but it doesn’t give us the power to actually fix it.
Paul, one of the early Christian teachers, talked about this a lot (especially in Romans 7:13-24). He explained that even when people know what’s right, they still have a hard time actually doing it. It’s like wanting to eat healthy, knowing all the right foods, but still craving junk food and giving in. The rules are good, but they don’t change our hearts or give us the power to be perfect.
The Law Points to Our Need for Help
Because nobody can follow the law perfectly, the law makes it clear that we all need help. It’s like going to the doctor and getting a diagnosis. The doctor tells you what’s wrong, but then you need treatment to actually get better. The law diagnoses the problem—sin—but doesn’t cure it.
Why Christians Believe They Need a Savior
This is why the Bible says the law points to the need for a savior—someone who can actually help, forgive, and change us. Christians believe that Jesus is that savior. According to Christian teaching, Jesus lived a perfect life, obeyed the law fully, and then died and rose again to bring forgiveness and new life to anyone who trusts him. His life and sacrifice are seen as the “treatment” that the law points to.
How This All Fits Together
So, in summary:
· The law is good—it shows us who God is and what’s expected.
· The law can’t save us—it reveals our shortcomings but doesn’t fix them.
· The law is like a mirror or a diagnosis; it points out the problem.
· Jesus is seen as the solution, giving forgiveness and new power to change.
This idea is laid out in Paul’s letters, especially Romans chapters 7 and 8. He describes how hard it is to do what’s right, how the law makes us aware of our struggles, and how, in the end, only God’s grace through Jesus can truly save and change us.
In short: The law is a guide, not a rescuer. It’s good, but we still need help—and that’s what Christianity says Jesus came to offer.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 