Friday 14 June, 2013

10 All who depend on obeying the law are under a curse. It is written, “May everyone who doesn’t continue to do everything that is written in the Book of the Law be under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 27:26) 11 We know that no one is made right with God by keeping the law. Scripture says, “Those who are right with God will live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4) 12 The law is not based on faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. It teaches that “the one who does those things will live by them.” (Leviticus 18:5) 13 Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written, “Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23) 14 Christ Jesus set us free so that the blessing given to Abraham would come to non-Jews through Christ. He did it so that we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit by believing in Christ.

The only thing I am certain of is that my salvation does not come by trying to do the works of the law.

I hear people say “But I am a good person”, or “I am nice to people I meet”, however they have placed themselves under a curse. It is impossible to keep ALL the law. The bible is very clear – nothing but absolute obedience to the law (all its rites, ceremonies, precepts) is enough. If you are resting in any of these, you are doomed to fail and you have placed yourself under a curse. The law demands doing, the gospel commands believing and life comes only by faith.

The gospel is like a perfect sunrise – it shines over us, enlightening us to the truth – The key to the mystery is Jesus Christ – our Substitute. He fulfilled the law’s demands by His perfect obedience, and He suffered the law’s utmost penalty by His death upon the cross; and, now, I who believe in Him am eternally justified because of what he did for me. You must either be cursed by God or else you must accept Christ as bearing the curse instead of you

The law was given to make us feel condemned, but never to save us, so that God might have mercy upon all. It was intended to crush every hope of self-righteousness, to demolish our own works, that so we must accept a salvation through the one who has “finished the law”.

I do not have enough words to say – Thank you Jesus, that I can stand complete before you. That You, were made a curse for me; so that the blessing might come upon me. Help me Lord to honor you, by living by faith, by trusting in your word and your promises.

Written by Cath Croft