[pageonetoo]

...GOD ( you remember HIM, don't you ? ) ordered mankind, through HIS laws to behave, else they would be punished. GOD doesn't see mankind as inherently good and neither do I. They MUST be " coerced " and even then, they don't behave correctly.

Interesting concept.

What I understand is slightly different. I believe the Law was given to reveal our unrighteousness. According to Scripture, without the Law, our sinfull nature is not revealed. He did not 'order' us to do anything. He simply gave us a guideline, whereby we could attain fellowship, with Him. He knew, however, that He gave us a 'will', a choice. He allowed us to make our own decisions, about everything.

In order to become 'righteous', we can do nothing. We can only respond to His beckoning, and believe. Even once we are 'saved', we still are living as 'sinful' creatures. WE are just forgiven. I will be happy to add the verses, if you think I am incorrect.

...not of works, lest any man shall boast!

[nopardons]

COMMANDMENTS are COMMANDS ! That's a pretty heavy way of ORDERING mankind; so was the flood and a whole bunch of other things, that GOD hurled against man. Expulsion from the garden, wasn't just a wee " timeout ".

Man has freewill,of course, but that doesn't negate the fact that GOD and Jesus gave a whole lot of laws, rules, and lectures.

Unlike Rousseau, GOD doesn't seem to think that all men are inherently " good " and left alone, will be "GOOD".

And as far as becoming " righteous ", doing NOTHING, isn't what GOD and Jesus the Chrdist had in mind. Neitherf is it what millenias of priests, Rabbis, and pastors has exponded upon from an alter.