March 11 - Galatians 3:10-14

March 11 - Galatians 3:10-14

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”  Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”  The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”  He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Paul just says it … if you want to rely on the law. Fine.  But, don’t forget.  You have to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law.  Otherwise, you will be cursed and you will not see eternity with God.

The better way is to live by faith in Jesus Christ.  He redeemed us from that curse.  That great blessing of the covenant promised to Abraham now comes through Jesus Christ to us.

The Law was put into place to offer the people of Israel – Abraham’s direct descendants – a way to redeem themselves with God.  When that didn’t work, God sent prophets.  All of these things did not stop the Israelites from moving further and further away from God.  And certainly nothing convinced them that they were to be a light to the nations so that the entire world would know God.

The only way that God could bring the relationship back was to come Himself.  So, Jesus was born.  He lived.  He was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind and He rose  to conquer and abolish death.

We are not bound by the law.  We are not bound by legalism or any of the other hangups we may have with modern Christianity.  We are simply to have faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He will lead us to the Father.  We have that promise.  We can live within that promise.

Faith.