Knowledge of Good and Evil

I had thought that the New Testament and maybe even Paul, specifically stated that we need the Old Testament to teach us right from wrong, that, if we don’t know what a sin is, we won’t know that we have sinned and then we won’t know that we need the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus’ sacrifice provides. I even mentioned it to someone in a conversation.

Now I am searching for it and I am bummed, I can’t find it specifically spelled out!

Paul does tell Tim –

       But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
(2Ti 3:14-17 NLT)

That does come close, but I thought it was more specific.

In these two verses, I am finding euphemisms for the teachings in the scriptures, Jesus says “the Word of God” and Paul uses “the oracles of God” but I think they hint at what I am looking for –

But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
(Luk 8:21 NASB)

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
(Rom 3:1-2 NASB)

Paul goes further on the topic in Romans 3 –

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
(Rom 3:19-20 NASB)

This speech in Romans 3 is the closest I can find to it being spelled out, it even goes on, now that we know what sin is or at least that there is such a thing as sin –

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
(Rom 3:21-25 NASB)

What did he say?

I admit those verses are on the verge of being Greek to me, but I think at the end Paul is talking about the grace that God shows by overlooking our past sins when He forgives us. How, if we didn’t have the scriptures to enlighten us about sin, could we understand the grace of God in forgiving us for ours?

Maybe as members of the 21st century, members of a civilization that has written God’s testament of right and wrong into our man made laws and culture so deeply, we don’t realize where they came from. Unfortunately, as time goes by our culture is rewriting right and wrong, nowadays for instance, sometimes cheating and lying can be OK, it just depends on the circumstances.

Conclusion –

Jesus says:

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
(Luk 10:25-28 NASB)

Do we need the old testament law to learn how to show our love for God and how to love our neighbor?