What is the primary purpose of God's law?

The primary purpose of God's law is to reveal God's holiness and show our sinfulness. This understanding is rooted in the idea that the law serves as a mirror, reflecting not just the righteous standards of God but also the fallen nature of humanity. When we examine the law, we come to see the perfection and purity of God’s character, which highlights our shortcomings and moral failings.

Through the law, individuals become aware of what sin is and how it separates them from a holy God. This awareness is crucial because it drives acknowledgment of the need for grace and redemption, ultimately pointing toward the gospel. In this light, God’s law functions not merely as a set of rules but as a vital means of bringing about conviction, awareness, and, eventually, repentance.

The other choices, while they touch on aspects of the law, do not encompass its primary purpose as effectively. For instance, controlling human behavior or defining social norms are secondary outcomes rather than the fundamental intention. Additionally, serving as a historical record of commandments misses the transformative aspect that the law has on our understanding of sin and grace.