SIN EXISTED BEFORE THE LAW WAS GIVEN

For over two thousand years, the Law of Moses did not exist, and yet we are told sin existed.  In fact, the very first human being was guilty of committing the first sin (Gen. 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21; etc.)!  Romans 5:12-14 says:

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come."

Notice the Apostle Paul shows that there was always a law in existence, because ALL die!  Just to show there were laws prior to the giving of the Law of Moses (Ex. 20), sin is clearly universal, and is specifically mentioned ten times in the preceding sixty-nine chapters (Gen. 4:7; 18:20-21; 20:9; 31:36; 39:9; 42:22; 50:17; Ex. 10:17; 16:1; 17:1). 

So, how could there be sin if there were no law?  There couldn't be!  Paul clearly stated above that even though the first sin was Adam's, ALL of mankind since, has committed sin!  There is One exception:  Jesus (Heb. 4:15).  Therefore, God was justified when He brought destruction upon a world of wicked people (Gen. 6:5-7)! 

We know that all civil laws have a purpose; they inform people about what is unacceptable.  Speed limits are intended to protect drivers.  Food packaging laws protect consumers.  Laws are meant as guides for society.  The same is true of God's laws.  There is one great difference though; the consequences of breaking God's laws is death!  But fear not!  All is not lost!  Paul wrote that God's law was given to teach us that we are sinners in need of the Savior: 

"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:22-26).

Laws still exist, but for the born again believer, they are not intended to teach us of our need for a Savior; they exist so that we know what pleases the God who loved us and saved us!  My four year old daughter said she had asked Jesus into her heart.  When I asked her if she knew what that meant, she replied, "I want to mind Him!"  We all still sin, but one day soon, that too will end!  1 John 3:2 says:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."