The New Testament goes into great detail explaining that the law’s main purpose was to teach mankind that it’s impossible to earn God’s favor through keeping the law. The law isn’t a merit system, but a condemnation system. Jewish culture was built upon this religious system, and the Apostle Peter declared that neither they, nor their forefathers were able to keep it (Acts 15:10). The Bible says that the law was designed to make the whole world guilty before God (Romans 3:19).
Why would God put a system in place that guaranteed failure? It is because people are stubborn. Even today, people make bad decisions knowing that everyone before them had consequences. Often we have to fail before we believe that something can’t be done. If you look at all the world’s religions, all but one teaches that we can become good by keeping its practices. Yet the world is not becoming more loving and compassionate. In fact, religion has a reputation of killing any who don’t submit to it, and even various sects in a religion often attack each other.
Christianity is the one way that does not teach that man can earn God’s approval. By Christianity, I am referring to those who follow Christ. Even those who label themselves as Christian have done many things that oppose what Jesus taught. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” He also said, “Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you.” Clearly, anything that violates these proofs of faith can’t be under the umbrella of Christ.
Anytime man is in control of religion, it becomes corrupted. We start off trying to earn God’s approval, but because our human nature is corrupted by sin, we always fall short. I’ve done prison ministry for many years. Someone can be a murderer, thief, or be guilty of violent acts, but almost all people I have met will say, “I’ve made mistakes, but I am still a good person.”
This is why the law is necessary. The law says, “This is what perfection looks like. If you want to be with God, you must be perfect. Now give it your best shot.” Then the law reveals that even if we are perfect on all areas, but make one mistake, we are guilty of the law – the whole law. See James 2:10.
This is why the Bible calls the law our tutor that brings us to Christ. The law shows us that we can’t be perfect. Sometimes we are hardheaded and it’s a long road of failures before we come to realize this, and some recognize very quickly that they fall short. And that is where God’s people were. For thousands of years they tried to build a culture that forced themselves into compliance, but even they could not keep it. The law still brought on the curse, and never brought the blessing.
The contrast the Bible gives us is the curse of the law, and the blessed life of faith in Christ. The day the law was delivered to the people, the curse fell. Look at Exodus 32:28
So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.
Moses came down from the mountain after receiving the Ten Commandments, and the people were in sin. They were judged through the priesthood (Levi) and three thousand people died. And that was day one. Yet look at what happened on the day the New Covenant of Grace was delivered to the people. Acts 2:41
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
The Holy Spirit delivered the birth of the church, and the disciples went out to proclaim the good news and how many people were saved? Three thousand. This is God’s way of declaring the reversal of the curse of the law. The law was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14), and the way of faith rose from the tomb. When it was delivered to the people, God chose to add three thousand so that we could look at the Old Covenant and see the reversal of the curse of the law. That is why the Bible says that once you are led by the Spirit, you are no longer under the law. (Galatians 5:18). The Bible has a clear explanation of this in Galatians 3:10-13
10 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.”
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ has 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”),
Jesus became the curse of the law and took the penalty for all who will receive it. He became your curse so that you can walk away guiltless and free. Now you have the right that no one under the law could obtain. They were just trying to avoid the penalty, but we have something even better. We have the RIGHT to become children of God. Those under the law are just trying to get in God’s good graces, but you have the rights as an heir of heaven. It is your birthright. Everything that God has is rightfully yours. No longer is life’s focus on avoiding sin or trying to get out from under the condemnation of sin. The Christian life is focused on learning how to walk by faith. Each day can be a new discovery of the depth of what we have in Christ. You can seek the treasures God has stored up for you. The fruit of the Spirit is a daily discovery of how you can receive the character values every person desires to have in their life.
The Bible says that you are a partaker of God’s divine nature, and that you receive from Him everything that pertains to life and godliness. Through faith, we learn how to receive the richness of this blessed life. For you, the curse is reversed. Now you are in the blessed life. The more you seek Him, the more you will find, and the more you will grow into the person God has created you to be. Faith removes any limitation between you and heaven.
Eddie Snipes
2024