People often feel remorse when they violate the law, but the legal system can leave them feeling that their sorrow and regret are not enough to justify or forgive them. The ongoing tension between law and conscience prevents many from fully embracing God's forgiveness through grace. Because their spiritual deadness in sin renders them incapable of receiving divine grace naturally, they tend to attempt to uphold the law outwardly—through external actions—believing that such actions can earn God's favor and compensate for their shortcomings. Paradoxically, the more they try to keep the law, the more troubled and restless their conscience becomes, since true peace and forgiveness can only be found through divine grace, not through personal effort. Ultimately, genuine spiritual renewal and righteousness come from trusting in Christ and His work, rather than relying solely on human deeds or legalistic observance. In their mistaken efforts, people sought to fulfill the law through their own strength, without seeking God's forgiveness and grace. This misplaced reliance on personal effort fostered self-righteousness, blinding them to their true spiritual condition. They began to believe that their own righteousness could meet God's standards, ignoring the fact that righteousness is a divine gift, not something earned by human works. Consequently, many strive tirelessly to earn God's approval through their deeds, but without the Holy Spirit's influence, this effort often results in the proliferation of false religions and misguided spiritual pursuits. These movements are based on the false assumption that individuals can achieve goodness independently, at their own pace and on their own terms. However, genuine righteousness can only be received through the saving work of Christ. The more people rely on their own efforts to follow religious rules, the more they hinder the work of Christ in their lives. Living strictly according to the law inevitably brings its own set of consequences—namely, judgment and condemnation under the law’s authority. Therefore, the true path to righteousness is found in turning to Christ, who offers transformation through grace and faith. Only then can a person experience true freedom—freedom from the burden of legalistic efforts and self-righteousness. Christ came into the world to give believers His own righteousness as a divine gift, imputing His goodness to them. This righteousness cannot be earned through human effort under the law; it is a divine gift freely given by God's grace, once and for all. This passage highlights the profound level of human ignorance and misunderstanding regarding spiritual matters. Many people sincerely believed that by simply obeying the commandments and following religious laws, they could attain righteousness and favor in God's sight. However, God's purpose in giving the law was much more limited and specific; it was designed to serve as a mirror that exposes human moral failure and helplessness. The law’s primary role was to reveal to humanity its inability to do good consistently because of inherent moral depravity. It acted as a tool to convict individuals through their conscience and feelings of guilt, thus bringing to light their sinfulness and ultimately leading to spiritual death. Both the law and the inner moral sense—conscience—serve to awaken a person to the reality of their sinfulness, making them aware of their shortcomings and their need for divine mercy. Since many people held the mistaken belief that they were naturally good and capable of righteousness through their own efforts, the law ultimately laid bare their true spiritual state—an indebtedness to God and a need for grace. If humans had chosen to abstain from the forbidden tree of life in the beginning, they might have experienced God's grace directly through the tree of life, living uprightly and righteously without the presence of sin. Unfortunately, succumbing to temptation introduced depravity into every aspect of their being, resulting in spiritual death. This fallen state distorted their perception of themselves, replacing humility with a false sense of power rooted in guilt, shame, and fear. Instead of seeking genuine communion with God, they attempted to hide from Him, believing they could escape His notice. Their understanding darkened further, leading them to mistakenly think that mere obedience to the law was enough to satisfy divine requirements.