The Curse of the Law
“Christ 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”-” Galatians 3:13 NASBS
It’s amazing to think about the love of Jesus Christ and what was truly accomplished for us on Calvary when He was crucified. The scriptures tell us, “Christ 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.” As I’ve said so many times before, there’s no one among us who will escape the curse of the law apart from Jesus Christ. For the law, which shows us the perfection of God’s perfect righteousness, has brought everyone under this condemnation.
We are constantly reminded by our conscience that the seed of sin has infected our body, resulting in our sinful behavior. In other words, sin has soiled everything we do with its corruption. That is, by nature, man seeks preeminence in all his endeavors and refuses to bow the knee to the infinite God, Who gave him life. Instead, he nurtures the roots of pride in his own heart as if he is obtaining something for himself. Like Nebuchadnezzar of old, he cries out, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” I often have to remind myself, “What do you have that you did not receive?” And If I have received it, was it not from the hand of the One Who created me?
Therefore, Christians, “partakers of a heavenly calling,“ “do not be deceived.” For “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth,” to be the witnesses of this great salvation for which we have been redeemed. Although this redemption was free to us, it cost Jesus Christ His life. He lived the life that we could not live and died the death that we deserve, having fulfilled the righteous demands of God.
Remember that we were subjected to God’s eternal justice, waiting for the punishment of hellfire, but He called us to Himself through His grace. “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” For while we were helpless Jesus died for us, reconciling us to Himself through the shedding of His own blood. So, “much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” How high then is the obligation to live for God? Scriptures tell us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Octavius Winslow wrote concerning this, “Think of the “horrible pit, the miry clay,” the “valley of bones,” the “rock whence we were hewn,” and then remember that if we are born again, we have in our souls, at this moment, the buddings of eternal life. Oh, can we think of this, and not desire an unreserved surrender of all we are and all we have to God?”
Christian, you are called to bring glory to God in this lifetime. So ensure that the first principles of the glorious Gospel are the guiding principles in your life. Guard your daily walk with the same understanding as the apostle Paul, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified,” and see that the evidence of the new birth characterizes every action of your life.