Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Bible teaches us that when Adam sinned, he brought a curse upon mankind and upon the entire world. Paul tells us in verse 10 that those who are trusting in law keeping are under the curse. You cannot get out from being under the curse by law keeping. First of all, no one can keep the law perfectly. Secondly, the law was never meant as the means of salvation. We will see that yet in this passage.
There are many religions that operate under law keeping. They have corrupted God’s law, but they think that is alright. In that alone they are already cursed. No man has the right to change any of God’s Word. We need to understand the context, but we have no right to change anything.
In verse 11 we are reminded that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God. After all, that is what matters. We need to have some way of being justified before God. He is the Judge. No one can find forgiveness of sin through law keeping. No one can enter heaven through law keeping. The fact is that the just shall live by faith.
We looked at that yesterday in our morning service at church. The Bible teaches us that we need to have the faith of Jesus Christ. We do not need our own faith. Too many people operate under the assumption that it is their faith that is what matters. That is why there is such a smorgasbord of religions out there. Each one functions under their own idea of faith.
The faith of Jesus Christ is what unites true believers. We live by that faith. Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; and Hebrews 10:38 all say the same thing. It is God Who has set the standard of righteousness. It is clear from the Bible that we cannot meet His standard on our own.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
We cannot trust in ourselves. We are not good enough. Jesus Christ never sinned and He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary. He provided the only way for anyone to be justified.
The law was given to show us God’s righteous standard and our inability to meet that righteous standard. Those who are truly saved understand this. Many are trying very hard to “be good”, but they have to drop the standard of good so that they can feel good in their sin.
Those who are seeking to live by the law know they never quite reach that mark. They are always striving, but never achieving. Many give up and forget about it. Others are always trying to find something that they can do to try to appease their guilty conscience. A few turn to God in repentance and trust in His gift of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 13 tells us that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Jesus Christ was made a curse for us. He died on the cross and He took our sins on that cross. Those who trust in His finished work are forgiven and saved. The many who reject His finished work die in their sins.
Paul reminds us that it is written that there is a curse on every one that hangs on a tree. There are several Old Testament passages that point this fact out. Jesus Christ was willing to be made a curse for us. He was not forced onto that cross. He willingly laid down His life for us.
In verse 14 we see that the blessing of Abraham is made available to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came as a man through the Jews. Mary was a Jewish woman. God promised Abraham that his seed would be a blessing to all nations. Jesus lived His life in Israel and died outside of Jerusalem. He ascended back to Heaven from the Mount of Olives and He will come back for all those who believe in Him. He commanded the disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Jesus’ sacrificial death is the only way of salvation for all.
The Holy Spirit is given to every one who puts their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. We do not pray for the Holy Spirit. He is given to all who are truly born again. His presence in the true believer’s life is what gives us the power to live for Christ. We have the power to say no to sin and yes to God. Lost people might try to please God, but they are trying to do it in the flesh. They soon discover they cannot please God according to His Word and so, unless they truly get saved, they find a religious group that will agree with their failed ideas. There are thousands upon thousands of people who are bound by sin and refusing to repent toward God and be saved. They get offended by those who teach the truth. Their problem is not really with those who teach the truth. Their problem is with God. He gave us His Word. Those who teach the truth are just teaching God’s Word. The wise person submits to God’s Word and glorifies Him. That is the way of blessing.
Keep in mind, that is what Abraham did. He believed God and He counted it unto him for righteousness. Abraham trusted in God’s promise. When he was past the time of being able to provide the seed needed for a child, and Sarah was past the age of being able to bear a child; at that time, God provided and Sarah conceived and brought forth a son. That son was the promised seed that God promised to Abraham many years earlier. God knew His timing and Abraham needed to learn to wait on the Lord. Jesus Christ is of the seed of Abraham and He is the Redeemer of mankind. It is a blessing to trust in the true God and to know His peace and forgiveness.
Pastor Bartel