What is the purpose of the law?

“For by the merit of observing the law, no one earns the status of being declared righteous before God, for it is the law that fully exposes and unmasks the reality of sin.”
Romans 3:20 The Passion Translation (TPT)
 
It is impossible to be made right with God through following the law. Being right with God (righteous) is not something that we could ever earn or deserve, it’s something that we receive by faith because of what Jesus has done for us (Romans 5:1). The purpose of the law was not to show us how to get right with God but to reveal and expose sin – it cannot fix the sin problem, it only reveals it more.

In counselling situations we tend to pile the law on people – tell them everything that they need to do in order to be right or made right – and yet the law wasn’t intended to help them. A lengthy religious to-do-list cannot help anyone, only the truth can set us free. Telling people about Jesus and what He has done for them and is freely offering them is the key to seeing them walk in victory. 
 
“For if keeping the law earns the inheritance, then faith is robbed of its power and the promise becomes useless.”
Romans 4:14 The Passion Translation (TPT)
 
If the keeping the law could make us righteous and acceptable before God then faith would be irrelevant and yet the Bible continually shows us that we live by faith (Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38).
 
“For the law provokes punishment, and where no law exists there cannot be a violation of the law.”
Romans 4:15 The Passion Translation (TPT)
 
The law brings wrath (KJV) or punishment upon those who follow it – it doesn’t produce good and cannot bring about a relationship with God. The law was never meant to help you in your relationship with God, it was meant to condemn you and show you how weak you are.
 
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
Romans 5:20 King James Version (KJV)|
 
The purpose of the law was to increase sin – make it abound. The law was never intended to bless us or deal with sin – the purpose of the law was to amplify sin and condemn us. Why? Well, when you see what a mess you’re in and that you are completely helpless in trying to save yourself and make yourself acceptable to God, then you’re in a position to receive God’s grace. You cannot receive God’s grace while you’re trusting in your goodness and righteousness – it’s all God’s grace or all your efforts, and you will never be good enough or be able to do enough to be accepted by God. The purpose of the law was to show us how hopeless we are and that we cannot make it without a Saviour!