(Read Galatians 3:7-11)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Yesterday we saw how God reminded believers in Galatia, through Paul, that they had received His Spirit by faith and not by the works of the Law. No one had ever received God’s Spirit by observing rules and the supernatural is now available to New Testament believers, by faith. Let’s pick it up where we left off yesterday.
Paul said, “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” Most of us today read that statement and don’t think twice about it. However, back then, to a Jewish reader, this was a revolutionary thought. For thousands of years the descendants of Abraham lived as a nation with a clear bloodline back to their patriarch. People did not become Israelite by choice, they were Israelite by birth. But all that changed when Jesus came. Paul continues, “For the scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Paul was making it clear that the spiritual lineage of Abraham now extended well beyond his bloodline. When God said, “All nations will be blessed through you,” the Lord was looking down the corridors of time, thousands of years ahead, to the point where Jesus would die and Abraham’s’ blessing would extend to non-Jews.
Today, not only do we have access to the Blessing of Jesus, but in Christ we are also connected to the Blessing of Abraham. This connection comes by faith and not by the works of the Law of Moses. Paul goes on to explain, “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” I will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s seek to glean a few golden nuggets:
1. God looked thousands of years ahead when He spoke to Abraham to bless him. God does the same for you. When God looks at you He sees much more than just you; He sees your lineage. So when God blesses you He is also blessing your bloodline!
2. If you rely on the Law to make you right with God, the Bible says you are living under a curse.
3. If you take a portion of the Law, even just a tiny portion, the Bible says you must then attempt to live in accordance with the entire Law and you will be living under a curse (see Deuteronomy 27:26, James 2:10, Galatians 3:10).
4. The Bible says that no one who relies on the Law is justified before God (Galatians 3:11). So, if you attempt to live under the Law, just know what you are getting yourself into.
5. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Don’t willingly go back into something that Christ redeemed you from. Embrace Grace and walk in the freedom wherewith Christ Jesus has made you free.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for loving me enough to teach me Your Word in a way that is easy to understand. The more I understand the curse associated with the Law, the more I want to say away from it. I did not realize how much bondage I was willingly putting myself under, nor the bondage I was holding over other people’s heads. The Law brings a curse to all who attempt to live under it, and I am thankful that I am no longer under that curse. I don’t serve You by attempting to live under a set of rules. I serve You by being led of Your Spirit. You put Your precious Holy Spirit IN me, and He is my guide daily. He leads, guides and directs me in the way that I should go. The Holy Spirit gives me access to the Supernatural and He enables me to live in the freedom Jesus died to give me. I am no longer under bondage, Jesus the Christ died to make me free. By faith I declare that I am free. I don’t live in sin, but it is not because I am focused on NOT sinning. I don’t live in sin because I am too focused on being led of the Holy Spirit and becoming the person You have destined me to be. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
