It Starts Small

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. ¹¹ Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. ¹² But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. ¹⁴ The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:10-14

Under a curse

²⁶ ‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’

And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’

Deuteronomy 27:26

When the law was given by Moses, the people of Israel passionately pledged to uphold it with fervor. They embraced the terms wholeheartedly, fully aware that failure to maintain it would bring a dire curse upon them. Deuteronomy states that those who bind themselves to the law will find themselves cursed if they falter. Not everyone faces this grim destiny. Only those who place their trust in the law are ensnared. In stark contrast, when you put your faith in Jesus, He lifts that heavy burden of curse from your shoulders. However, if you stubbornly attempt to adhere to the law, you end up bearing that weight all on your own.

No one who relies on the law is justified before God

Our works cannot save us. If they could, Jesus would not have come to rescue humanity from the bondage of sin and death. It was through His sacrificial love that we find true redemption and grace. Here, Paul again points out that true righteousness comes by faith. He emphasizes that our standing before God is not determined by our deeds or outward acts. Instead, it relies on our trust in Him and the finished work of Christ on the cross. This foundational truth reminds us that salvation is a gift. We receive it through faith. It calls us to rely on God’s mercy instead of our own insufficient efforts.

The law is not based on faith

The law is a powerful collection of written rules that governs us. Throughout Israel’s history, countless individuals followed these regulations externally. Their hearts, however, lacked true faith in God. Why is that? It stems from deep-rooted habits and cherished traditions. Even today, many people in the US and across various Western nations find themselves in church on significant occasions like Easter or Christmas Eve. They also bow their heads in prayer before meals without sincere belief. They engage in these actions out of custom and routine. While the motivations behind obeying the law may vary widely, they reveal little about the true state of one’s heart. Following the law may be a visible act, but genuine faith in God is a profound, internal journey.

Why do you go to church on Sunday?
Why do you read the Bible?
Pray before meals? Give to the needy?

These are wonderful actions that we must embrace! Yet, we must fervently question our motivation! If we carry out these deeds for superficial reasons, we fall into a trap. Insincere incentives ensnare us in living by mere works. Instead, we should embody profound faith. To God, it is not just about the actions we take, but equally essential is the passion behind them! Let us declare a noble reason for our pursuits. We should act from a heartfelt desire. We aim to make a positive impact on the world around us and to share Jesus with others! Conversely, a misguided reason—such as seeking recognition or validation—ultimately strips our actions of their true worth and leads us astray.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us

What does this mean? Those who cling to the law are ensnared in a curse, condemned to face judgment and punishment for their transgressions. They are distanced from the divine, their destinies inescapably locked. In a profound act of love, Jesus embraced the very essence of that curse. He did this so we could be liberated from its grasp. Jesus became a curse in two powerful, transformative ways.

Firstly, He was hung on a tree, a wretched and cursed fate. Secondly, He bore our sins upon Himself, even going so far as to become sin for us. Consider that for just a moment from Jesus’ perspective. He is the Holy Lamb of God, flawless in every way. He had never known the torment of guilt, nor had He ever tasted the bitterness of sin. Yet, for our sake, Jesus embraced that abhorrent, despicable reality. He did the unfathomable! When I feel guilt, it overwhelms me; sin weighs heavy on my soul. We have not become indifferent to sin and guilt. However, in many ways, we have become familiar with them due to sheer frequency. Jesus, in His perfect holiness, had never encountered these feelings. Yet He chose to bear them for us!

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Cross References:

• James 2:10
• Romans 3:20
• Habakkuk 2:4

Questions to Ponder:

• Who is under a curse? Why? What kind of curse is this?
• What does verse 12 mean that the law is not of faith? How about “He who practices them shall live by them”?
• So where does Christ fit into this picture?
• Why does Paul use so many quotations from Scripture here? How does this strengthen his argument? What can we learn from this about the importance of Scripture?

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