Case in Point: The Law Magnifies Our Sin

I just received an email about a journalist in N.Y., A. J. Jacobs, who attempted for one year to live up to the Law as written in the Old Testament. He was featured on the Today Show this week (Q&A/video). While many aspects of his "attempt" smack of trivializing the Bible, one exchange from the video stuck out in my head: Matt Lauer asks, "Think fast; when's the last time you broke one of the ten commandments?" and Jacobs replies, "Probably during this interview." Lauer laughs and asks, "Which one?" to which Jacobs answers, "I don't know, it's hard to keep track."

This is an incredible testimony of how God accomplishes his purpose in the Law! Romans 3:19 says, "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God." Romans 7:7-8 says, "if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness." The purpose of the Law was to stop every mouth! Would Jacobs deny his sin before God after encountering the law?

Jacobs now calls himself a reverent agnostic. He obviously understands his sinful nature, but he is blind to the fact that the only hope for sinners is the cross of Jesus Christ.

We must recognize that Jesus Christ is our only hope!

Todd


UPDATE: Keith pointed out that Way of the Master Radio also interviewed Jacobs in an attempt to share the gospel. You can find the podcast here. Thanks Keith!