Knowledge Of Sin

Romans 3:19-20 (ESV Strong's)

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Through the law comes knowledge of sin. Through that knowledge, we behold the darkness which surrounds us. Our eyes are opened to our true state and we become accountable to God. 

Sin reflects the insurmountable distance between our life and His. We find all our efforts to cross that expanse are futile. This becomes the first step in the way of salvation. We must be aware of our sins before we can repent of them. The longest journey begins with a single step.