The Blessing of Christ – Galatians 3:10-14

1. Who has God…

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Galatians 3:10)

“…all who rely on works of the law are under a curse…” (Galatians 3:10a)

“Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” (Deuteronomy 27:26)

“I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” (Galatians 5:3)

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Galatians 2:21)

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” (Galatians 3:11-12)

“This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” (Galatians 3:12, NLT)

All of us who share a heartbeat share a curse; for we all do “not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law.” (Erik Raymond)

“O law! You would climb up into the kingdom of my conscience, and there reign and condemn me for sin, and would take from me the joy of my heart which I have by faith in Christ, and drive me to desperation, that I might be without hope.” (Martin Luther)

“You have overstepped your bounds. Know your place! You are a guide for my behavior, but you are not Savior and Lord of my heart. For I am baptized, and through the Gospel am called to receive righteousness and eternal life…So trouble me not! For I will not allow you, so intolerable a tyrant and tormentor, to reign in my heart and conscience—for they are the seat and temple of Christ the Son of God, who is the King of righteousness and peace and my most sweet Savior and Mediator. He shall keep my conscience joyful and quiet in the sound and pure doctrine of the Gospel through the knowledge of this passive and heavenly righteousness.” (Martin Luther)

2. How can we…

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:12)

“I always do the things that are pleasing to (God).” (John 8:29)

“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)

3. And what does…

“…so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)

“Wide-open spaces are scary for people who ultimately trust in walls.” (David A. deSilva)