June 23
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them.’ But that no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘The just shall live by faith.’ Yet the Law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith,” Galatians 3:10-14.
The apostle Paul addresses the claim of the false teachers that it is possible to obtain salvation on the basis of perfect obedience to the Law of God. What does the Law of God require? It requires a total fulfillment of all of the Commandments. It requires total perfection. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expressed it briefly: “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect,” Matthew 5:48. The apostle James wrote, “Whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all,” James 2:10.
Because we are conceived and born in sin, we cannot fulfill the requirements of the Law. The psalmist wrote, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one,” Psalm 14:2-3. The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes wrote, “There is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin,” Ecclesiastes 7:20. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags,” Isaiah 64:6. To the Romans, Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
When we deny that we are sinners, we are guilty of adding sin to sin. We are liars! The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” 1 John 1:8.
In his Letter to the Galatians, as quoted above, the apostle Paul says that anyone who says we are saved by keeping the Law does not receive God’s blessing. “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them.’” Anyone who wants to obtain a blessing from God by fulfilling the Law will end up obtaining a curse! Through Moses, the Lord says, “Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this Law by observing them,” Deuteronomy 27:26.
Where then can we poor sinners find any hope for eternal life? We flee to the Gospel! “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 21:23. Jesus suffered and died on Calvary’s cross to redeem us from the curse of the Law. He took our place. He took all our sins upon Himself, and with His holy, precious blood He washed them all away. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. By faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior, we make His righteousness our very own. We are declared just and forgiven. The blessing of His forgiveness is offered to Jew and Gentile alike; God so loved the world! We are saved not by what we do, but by faith in what Jesus did for us.
“By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;
Our works and conduct have no worth.
God, in His love, sent our Redeemer,
Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;
His death did for our sins atone,
And we are saved by grace alone.” Amen.