Ignorance is bliss...

Romans 5:13
For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

This very scripture is contrary to our worldly belief system. We live in a legalistic, justice-driven society, one that has set rules and regulations as parameters to keep individuals from getting out of control. But, we also hold those who are unaware of these laws (rules) accountable even if they claim to have no knowledge of the law.

(“Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because it is an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to confute (prove to be wrong) him.”-John Selden)

God, on the other hand, operates in a perfect justice system. His isn’t one created by man, but rather created for man. When God created man and woman (Adam and Eve), mankind, He placed them in the Garden with only one rule: don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 3:3) Are we to believe, then, that because mankind did not have knowledge of good and evil, they also did not “sin”? (Put whatever you want here for sin. Swearing, name calling, hitting, stealing, etc. They’re all acceptable and what we today would call “sin”.) I personally question this concept.

I think that mankind has been “sinning” since day one, but until they committed the one Sin that God had told them not to, their sins were not held against them. The real Sin committed in the Garden, the real Sin that there is today, is simply idolatry. It was man’s selfish desire to become his own god, to put himself above his Creator, that caused all the problems. I think that Adam called Eve names. I think they argued. I think they stormed off in anger. I think Adam broke stuff when he got mad and Eve did the same. I think they did all of the things that we do today prior to eating the forbidden fruit. It was only God who saw what they were doing as wrong, and since He had only established one rule, He did not hold it against them. He graciously allowed them to “sin” because He had not given them laws against it, nor had He given them a consciousness of what “sin” was.

This verse from Romans 5 indicates that sin was in the world before God gave the law but was not imputed on mankind. Another way to put it would be, sin was not attributed to a person’s character before the knowledge of the law was given. Still another way to put it would be that a person was not judged according to his or her deeds before the knowledge of the law, but rather was extended perfect grace for every unholy (unknown) act that was committed. But, as the Bible clearly states, as soon as they ate, their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked! (Genesis 3:7) We consider it a “sin” today to run around naked. We have laws in every state that cover what is decent and what is indecent exposure.

Based on just reading the Bible for what it says, I am under the impression that as soon as mankind ate the forbidden fruit, knowledge of the law entered their hearts and minds. They knew they were naked. How? Did God tell them? Did the Devil tell them? NO! They had an instant conscious awakening to all that they had been doing. They had a supernatural awakening to what God had known all along to be sinful activity. And because they had become aware of their sin, grace was removed. Instantly, sin was imputed on mankind. Instantly, mankind became aware of the Law (well before Mount Sinai) and was judged according to the Law!

Where on Earth is the good news? Here it comes, folks. On the cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34) At that very moment He was restoring God’s view of us. When Jesus Christ became Sin on the cross He immediately restored us to an age of perfect grace under which law has no control. It is as though we who are in Christ are as Adam and Eve prior to the consumption of the fruit. What we’re doing, did, or are planning to do will NOT be held against us by God. He, because of the blood of His Son, Jesus, is blind to our sins. He sees only the perfect work of Christ when He looks at us now. In the same way, we no longer have to say, “Oh crap, I’m naked!” but instead we are covered in the robe of Jesus’ righteousness.

Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!