God’s rules are good. The law is perfect. The problem is us; we are not perfect, not by a long way. We must not focus on the rules, for they can never save us; they were not designed to do that. Instead, we should focus on Jesus whom the law leads to. It is only Jesus who can save lawbreakers like us.

The Jewish people have always valued the law of Moses very highly. It is seen as eternal and perfect, the guide for how we are to honour God. This appreciation for the law can logically lead people to think that simply having the rules will make us better people. After all, if we have God’s guidelines for life in front of us, surely that means we will live better lives!

This is not only a Jewish line of reasoning. It is something that was very prominent in the Enlightenment in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. A significant outcome from this period was the importance of education. If only we increased the literacy and education of the world’s population, the world would move closer and close to the humanistic ideal. The big problem with the world was seen as people simply not knowing any better.

The modern self-help movement continues this theme. Do you have a problem in your life? This website of life-hacks will help you. This podcaster with their sage advice will put you on the right track. If only you find the right life coach or blogger who can give you the information you need, you will be a better person.

Yet there is a problem with what seems so logical. It is not true. Having more rules and more information does not make you or I any better.

Paul argues in this way in Galatians:

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
(Galatians 3:21-22 ESV)

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