"Being Cursed by the Law"Galatians 3:8-10
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 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.”
Thoughts for Today:Why is the Law a curse? Because if we're going to try and earn God's favor by following rules and regulations, then we have to adhere to every single nuance and condition -- all without exception. In other words, to be acceptable to God, we must keep the Law perfectly.
In Matthew 5, Jesus provides two examples of why keeping the Law is virtually impossible (verses 21-22): “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment..." (verses 26-28): "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
The reason we're cursed by the Law is because unless we keep it perfectly we've failed. And the standard for perfection is far beyond any human ability.
Questions to Ponder:I am so grateful for God's grace. Thankfully, we don't need to follow the Law to earn our way into heaven. In your Christian walk, do you feel like you are failing? Are you living in His grace? Or are you still trying to keep the Law? One approach will have us continuing to feel like failures; the other will provide exceeding joy. Which will you claim?
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 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.”
Thoughts for Today:Why is the Law a curse? Because if we're going to try and earn God's favor by following rules and regulations, then we have to adhere to every single nuance and condition -- all without exception. In other words, to be acceptable to God, we must keep the Law perfectly.
In Matthew 5, Jesus provides two examples of why keeping the Law is virtually impossible (verses 21-22): “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment..." (verses 26-28): "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
The reason we're cursed by the Law is because unless we keep it perfectly we've failed. And the standard for perfection is far beyond any human ability.
Questions to Ponder:I am so grateful for God's grace. Thankfully, we don't need to follow the Law to earn our way into heaven. In your Christian walk, do you feel like you are failing? Are you living in His grace? Or are you still trying to keep the Law? One approach will have us continuing to feel like failures; the other will provide exceeding joy. Which will you claim?
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