But WHY is there law? What is the purpose of all these rules?

Love.

God gave law out of His love for us. He is not some tyrannical dictator trying to control us, He is the creator explaining how to avoid consequences. Ever read an instruction book? We get some new “thing” and along with it comes a book. That book explains what the “thing” does, how to use it, and how to care for it. There are also inevitably a set of “dos and don’ts” in that book. Is the creator of the “thing” you purchased trying to control you? Of course not. He is just sharing with you the details of the “thing” he created, so you can best enjoy using it. He wants to help you avoid any consequences of misuse.

And so it is with the Creator of our world. He designed this world, this existence. He surely knows best how it works! “The law” then, can be perceived as our own instruction book of “how to live well”. It is not a list of rules to control us! It is a list of understandings about life! We have the instructions!

Want to be happy? Follow the instructions! Want to stay healthy? Follow the instructions! Want to truly prosper? Follow the instructions! Want to avoid problems? Yes… Follow the instructions!

The law was given out of love. God gave us insight into ourselves, how to live and how to avoid pain. We wouldn’t put water in the crankcase of our engine and oil in the radiator, to then complain when the car suffers. Why do we complain about natural consequences when we ignore our own Creator’s instructions? Why would we value care for our car above care for our life?

“Do not sin” is not the cry of a controlling dictator over us, it is the gentle encouragement of a loving Creator showing us how He designed things to work! “Do not sin” is His desire for us to live and live well. It is the insight into the blueprint of our universe and lives. “Do not sin” is love, because sin is death and suffering. Not because God punishes us for sin, but because sin causes consequences of itself. Sin IS death. How would we avoid it without knowing what it is? The law shows us clearly.

Do not sin, because sin means bad consequence is coming our way. Instead choose life abundant, by avoiding sin!