The atheist understands.

"The only function the law has in this theology is to make certain that everyone is guilty, not to actually give people guidelines to lead an innocent, socially agreeable life. It's law in name only; it's really nothing but a trap." --blackwolf72

This is a post that an atheist made on a blog I was reading. He is really quite "spot on" for the most part. I would argue that the law did indeed give guidelines to live a just life, because the scriptures say "So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good." --Romans 7:12. Going back a verse, "for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me." --Romans 7:11

But the other part is absolutely right. "Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God." --Romans 3:19

So then, what do we Christians teach about law-keeping? Do those around us believe that becoming a Christian means all your past sins are forgiven, and now you must keep the whole law in order to "maintain" your salvation?

"Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God." --Romans 7:4