Thursday: Redeemed From a Curse
Paul’s opponents were no doubt stunned by his bold words in Galatians 3:10. They certainly did not think themselves to be under a curse; if anything, they expected to be blessed for their obedience. Yet, Paul is unequivocal: “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’” (NKJV).
Paul is contrasting two completely different alternatives: salvation by faith and salvation by works. The covenant blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 27 and 28 were straightforward. Those who obeyed were blessed, those who disobeyed were cursed. That means if a person wants to rely on obedience to the law for acceptance with God, then the whole law needs to be kept. We do not have the liberty to pick and choose what we want to follow; nor should we assume that God is willing to overlook a few mistakes here and there. It is all or nothing.
This is, of course, bad news not only for Gentiles but for Paul’s legalistic opponents, as well, because we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). No matter how hard we try to be good, the law can only condemn us as lawbreakers.
How did Christ deliver us from the curse of the law? See Gal. 3:13, 2 Cor. 5:21.
Paul introduces another metaphor to explain what God has done for us in Christ. The word redeem means “to buy back.” It was used as the ransom price paid to release hostages or as the price paid to free a slave. Because the wages of sin is death, the curse of failing to keep the law was often a death sentence. The ransom paid for our salvation was not insignificant; it cost God the life of His own Son (John 3:16). Jesus ransomed us from the curse by becoming our sin-bearer (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23). He voluntarily took our curse upon Himself and suffered in our behalf the full penalty of sin (2 Cor. 5:21).
Paul cites Deuteronomy 21:23 as scriptural proof. According to Jewish custom, a person was under God’s curse if, after execution, the body was hung upon a tree. Jesus’ death on the cross was seen as an example of this curse (Acts 5:30, 1 Pet. 2:24).
No wonder, then, that the cross was a stumbling block for some Jews who could not fathom the idea that the Messiah was accursed by God. But this was exactly God’s plan. Yes, the Messiah bore a curse, but it was not His own—it was ours!
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"Paul’s opponents were no doubt stunned by his bold words in Galatians 3:10. They certainly did not think themselves to be under a curse; if anything, they expected to be blessed for their obedience." The Author
Everyone who still believes God is waiting for "His people to reproduce in their human lives perfect obedience to His ten commandments", should be stunned as well by the bold words of Paul in Gal.3:10 What such souls are not understanding, is; just as like the Christian Jews in Paul's day, we remain, as they were, sinners even after offering up a sacrifice for the sin committed. In other words, when we sin, we ask God for his forgiveness, which we receive. But we rise from our knees, still a human sinner in God's eyes. Our sin, though forgiven is a curse from which we are unable to escape. We are under the curse of sin in a similar way as the entire earth is under the curse of sin. David supports this fact in his: "We are shapen in iniquity; in sin did my mother conceive me" Psalm 51:5...
David's statement is a testament to the fact of nature being still physically under the curse of sin, to the extent that the newborn is under the curse of sin, even before knowing what sin is.
It is from this curse that we are redeemed....an action that the perfect keeping of God's ten commandments is unable to do. Do also bear in mind, that the curse of sin was pronounced by God the day sin entered the world; and only He can remove the curse. The serpent-"Cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field"- women cursed re childbearing-"I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception, in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children"- men cursed re physical labour-"cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee. In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread". Gen.3:16-19 This curse brought on by sin will remain on the earth, even though Jesus was given dominion over the earth in:Daniel 7:9-14..."Triumph of God's Love" p.250; GC.pp423-426; Early writings chp.Spiritual gifts Gifts.p.244.
Paul echoes this fact as well:"The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they but we ourselves also".
In view of this obvious fact; we cannot be seen as worthy in the sight of God; as long as His Son is not our covering; no matter how perfect we are in keeping His laws. Without Jesus; without Him as our total covering...we still remain cursed even we keep God's law perfectly...we still remain sinners, unless we are covered by His Atoneing sacrifice.
"Yet, Paul is unequivocal: “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’” (NKJV). The Author
The above quotation of the author; taken from Paul clearly makes the point that the sinner is cursed no matter that he received forgiveness for his sin when he offered the animal sacrifice. The function of the law is cursing the sinner, before and after he sins; even when he is forgiven the sinner is still a cursed sinner; until the sinner reaches out in faith to Him who became the curse for the sinner...that sinner is still a cursed sinner. Only when the sinner reaches out in faith to Him who became the curse of sin for him, is the sinner shielded from the curse. It is in this sense, that "Jesus became a curse for us".
Paul is contrasting two completely different alternatives: salvation by faith and salvation by works. The covenant blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 27 and 28 were straightforward. Those who obeyed were blessed, those who disobeyed were cursed. That means if a person wants to rely on obedience to the law for acceptance with God, then the whole law needs to be kept. " The Author
It is true that the theme of Deut.chp.27 is a blessing for those who obeyed and a curse for those who disobeyed....but while this is true, you are not saved because you obeyed...or salvation would then be as well, because of your works of obedience...at least not according to Paul..."For by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified". Rom.3:20
"Paul introduces another metaphor to explain what God has done for us in Christ. The word redeem means “to buy back.” It was used as the ransom price paid to release hostages or as the price paid to free a slave. Because the wages of sin is death, the curse of failing to keep the law was often a death sentence. The ransom paid for our salvation was not insignificant; it cost God the life of His own Son (John 3:16). Jesus ransomed us from the curse by becoming our sin-bearer (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23). He voluntarily took our curse upon Himself and suffered in our behalf the full penalty of sin (2 Cor. 5:21).
Paul cites Deuteronomy 21:23 as scriptural proof. According to Jewish custom, a person was under God’s curse if, after execution, the body was hung upon a tree. Jesus’ death on the cross was seen as an example of this curse (Acts 5:30, 1 Pet. 2:24).
No wonder, then, that the cross was a stumbling block for some Jews who could not fathom the idea that the Messiah was accursed by God. But this was exactly God’s plan. Yes, the Messiah bore a curse, but it was not His own—it was ours!" The Author
The author makes a very good point in the above re the curse placed on Jesus. It was no coincidence that God proclaimed a curse on the person charged with murder, who was executed for his sin; and then ceremonially "hung on a tree" to be effectively cursed. This was not done for all who murdered, only for some; hence there has to be some significance placed on those who had to be cursed. My opinion, and it is only my opinion, that this curse was to prefigure the eventual death that His son would bear; and that would make Him as accursed as the worst of murderers...1 Peter 2:24
Jesus became the curse for us; and until he became the curse for all of humanity's sin, no one could be saved.
This is again an indication that all of humanity remained under the curse of sin even after they were forgiven. This means that neither Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, David, Job, Elijah nor any of the faithful before Christ, could never be saved; no matter that they lived a faithful life, and a life for which they were commended of God.
This fact was highlighted on the crucifying sacrifice of Jesus in Matthew 25:52,53...." and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose; and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city and appeared unto many". This showed that it was only after Jesus became sin for humanity's sin, that the curse was lifted, making that the faithful could be worthy of resurrection.
Their faithfulness was unable to grant them salvation;or they would not have had to wait until the death of Christ to be resurrected
Courtney
This is a good news. God is good. This lesson is giving the true picture of salvation by faith in Jesus christ only.Thanks1
Can you kindly give the correct text i haven't seen any Matt 25:52&53 i really need to get this text.
Evadnie, I think Matt 25 was a typo. The quote that follows is Matt 27:52-53.
While the verse shows that other people were resurrected when Jesus was, we need to remember that two other people were translated to Heaven without seeing death, Enoch and Elijah. Also Moses seems to have been resurrected and taken to Heaven (Jude 1:9; Matt 17:3). Since all of this took place prior to Christ's resurrection it would seem that Matt 27 really doesn't support what Courtney was trying to show by the reference.
"While the verse shows that other people were resurrected when Jesus was, we need to remember that two other people were translated to Heaven without seeing death, Enoch and Elijah. Also Moses seems to have been resurrected and taken to Heaven (Jude 1:9; Matt 17:3). Since all of this took place prior to Christ’s resurrection it would seem that Matt 27 really doesn’t support what Courtney was trying to show by the reference." Tyler Cluthe
Tyler, re the above: it is true that faithful Enoch, faithful Elijah, and faithful Moses, were all translated; and as well taken to heaven...but it is also true that faithful Abel, Noah, Abraham, Issac and Jacob were also saved; even if they were not taken up into heaven. As the scriptures stated re all the faithful; they were saved based only on their having the "faith of the Son of God".
Which brings me to the reason why I said re Matt.27:52-53. Paul said; not me; that "these all died in faith"...Heb.11:13.."not having received the promises;but having seen them afar off"... To support my point must also be added:"Neither is there salvation in any other;there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved"..Acts 4:12
It is more than obvious that neither Enoch,Elijah nor Moses could be saved if Jesus had not died...even if God took them to heaven! No sinner can be saved without their first accepting the death of Jesus as atonement for their sins.
And which begs the question: what if Jesus had not died for the sins of humanity? The answer is the same as :what happened in heaven when Satan and the angels sinned? All sinners would have been cast out of heaven; including Enoch, Elijah and Moses. Bear in mind that not only Enoch, Elijah and Moses, would be cast out; but as well all the other faithful followers of God down through the ages, would have been denied entry into heaven...and that would have also included Jesus, now deemed a sinner, having fallen to the temptations of Satan.
However, the reason why these faithful were taken to heaven; was the same reason the other faithful of Hebrews 11 were proclaimed righteous. It is also the same reason that was given when God created the earth and saw that His plan of salvation would succeed...He celebrated the success of His plan of redemption by creating one whole day for worship- the Sabbath; just to celebrate man's redemption.
It is for these reasons that God predicted the defeat of Satan; when as yet only Adam and Eve lived on the earth as humans. Gen.3:15 "Satan's head would be crushed". God had already seen the end result, even, when as yet His son had not come to earth to die.
The fact therefore, that He knew that His Son would die for the sins of Enoch, Elijah and Moses, would therefore have been just reason to take them to heaven even before the sacrifice of His Son was reality.
Courtney
Courtney, I am not arguing against your thesis which is essentially what the lesson says. What I am saying is that Matt 27 is not a particularly strong text to use in support of what you are saying, it sits on the peripheral at best. Certainly there are better texts you can use to back up what you are saying.
MEMORY TEXT:
christ bought us from da slave of sin n never to b put aback. He does this by taking our HELL so we might have his HEAVEN. That is by becoming a curse.
Eli eli lamasabatani means he was i curse on da cros n Gods perfection n righteous eyes couldnt look at hm
NB:God want our righteousnes n perfection. Dis was done 2r christ.
SUNDAY: FOOLISH GALANTIANS
(By McRoyal)
Not bcos they are stupid but they lack undastandin.
They didnt use they sense in undastanding da idea of grace.
NB: We canot mature in christ by law but only by spirit. Other christians began wel bt ends poorly
MONDAY: GROUNDED IN SCRIPTURE
(By McRoyal)
Abraham was a Gentile b4 God justified him
'In u al nations shal b blesed= Gentiles are involved in Gods plan of salvation 2r FAITH
NB: Saltation= an act of grace( not efort). God always saves people by their personal faith in christ
TUESDAY: RECKONED AS RIGHTEOUS
GOD
(By McRoyal)
God acounted(reckoned) Abraham righteous when he blieved. God saved hin first b4 he was require to circumsise
NB: Abraham lived under Mosaic law(no commandments) until 500yrs later
God justified him by faith b4 the law
NB: When he believed, he became da first JEW
Faith is da sole condition for salvation
WEDNESDAY: THE GOSPEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
(By McRoyal)
God preached da gospel of grace 2r faith in Abraham's day.(i.e 'in u shal all mations be blessed.Gen 12:3)
Both Jews n Gentiler have the grace 2r faith
NB:God has a simgle plan of salvation to the Jews n Gentiles
God dods nt save people because of their ethnic status
THURSDAY: REDEEMED FROM A CURSE
(By McRoyal)
God made Jesus a curse by dying on da cross. God place our curse on him. A cursed person is forbiden in da sight of God, thats y Christ cried' why have you forsaken me?'
NB: Christ was made a curse only while he died on da cross
We cannot pay what christ has already paid for. If we try to pay with our efort, we are cursed.
By( McRoyal-Madina West)
McRoyal, you said, "Abraham lived under Mosaic law(no commandments) until 500yrs later." I don't believe that was so.
Consider the following two verses.
"because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Gen 26:5 NKJ).
"And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws" (Exo 16:28 NKJ).
The last verse is in the context of the giving the children of Israel manna before they arrived at Sinai where God formally give them the Ten Commandments.