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CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW

Galatians 3:1-14

Key Verse: 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

  Last week we learned that we all can be justified only through faith in Jesus, not by observing the law. (2:16) In chapter 3and 4, Paul defends the gospel of Christ. To help us understand, Paul develops this theme with several contrasts: faith versus observing the law (3:1–14), the promise versus the law (3:15–22), and children versus slaves (3:23–4:31). In today’s passage Paul teaches us that God credits us as righteous when we live by faith. He also teaches us how God blesses us when we live by faith. Lastly, he teaches us to believe that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.

 Part 1 The righteous will live by faith. (1-9)

  What does it mean to “live by faith”? What is faith? There are several definitions for the word ‘faith.’ “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” (M. L. King Jr.) “Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.” (Anonymous)  There is no better definition of faith than  in Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Then, what does ‘to live by faith’ mean? To live by faith means to believe that God exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb 11:6) To live by faith means to trust in God’s absolute love, his goodness, and his guidance for our lives throughout our lifetime. To live by faith means to believe the promise of God and believe that God will fulfill his promise. Why is it important ‘to live by faith’? It is because we cannot please God without faith. When we live by faith, God is pleased with us. God also rewards us. What rewards does God provide for us?  In this chapter Paul introduces God’s blessings he gives when we live by faith.

First, we receive the Holy Spirit when we live by faith. (1-3) Look at verses 1-3. “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?  Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” In these verses Paul severely rebuked the Galatian believers by saying, “You fools!” Why? It was because the Galatians started right, but finished wrong. They started with the Spirit, but finished with flesh. The Galatians were gentiles. They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through Paul: Christ loved them and gave his life for them. When they believed this gospel, they were saved. They received the Holy Spirit. But some Judaizers came to the church and challenged them that the Gentile believers must be circumcised in order to be saved. The Judaizers meant that the Gentiles should be Jews first in order to be saved. They demanded faith plus works. Paul strongly opposed them and severely rebuked the Galatians who listened to the Judaizers by saying “Are you so foolish?”

  The Galatians received the Holy Spirit when they accepted Jesus Christ and were baptized in his name. The Holy Spirit convicted of their sins (Jn 16:8), regenerated them (Jn 3:6–[BPW1] 8), and sealed their salvation (Eph 1:13). They were filled with the Holy Spirit. They enjoyed the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. They bore the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (5:22,23) When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they saw the kingdom of God with the eyes of faith. (5:21b) The life filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by the Holy Spirit [BPW2] was their joy and freedom in Christ.

  We also receive the Holy Spirit when we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus. In Acts 2:38 Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit comes through our repentance and faith in the name of Jesus. There are some people who struggle to experience the Holy Spirit by their own effort. They attend all the church meetings. They try to keep all the rules and regulations. Above all, they want to be morally nice and better than others. Of course all these are important and expected in[BPW3]  devout believers. However, the Holy Spirit does not come through their contributions, good deeds, or behavior. The Holy Spirit comes when they repent of their sins and receive the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. I used to attend churches and participate[BPW4]  in the church activities before I was born again. I thought that I could be saved if I did many things for God in the church. Still, I felt something lacking in my relationship with God and had not yet experienced the Holy Spirit. I had no confidence in my salvation despite my career in the church. But, the Holy Spirit came upon me when I admitted myself as a sinner, confessing all my sins, and believed in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit came to me through faith, not because of my deeds. Since then, my life has been filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Second, we experience God’s miracles when we live by faith. (5) Look at verse 5. “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?” We want to experience God’s miracles. Do you want to experience God’s miracles every day? I believe that you do. When people talk about miracles these days, they say how they were healed from incurable diseases, how they passed impossible exams, and how their business became successful, and so on and so on. All these are important, and we must praise God who performed these miracles for those who trust in him and seek him. However, what is a more precious and significant miracle in this world than a person’s change, such as a change from a selfish tax collector to St. Matthew, from a malicious murderer to a devout preacher, a destructive drug dealer to a sacrificial elder, and so on?  The most powerful miracle is regeneration in one’s life. When you meet God personally, it is a great miracle. When you see your changed life, desires, value system, and life goal, you experience God’s miracle every day. It is a great miracle when you experience the Holy Spirit in your life. The life filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by the Holy Spirit produces more of God’s miracles in your daily life.

  Before the Galatians heard the gospel message, they did not have any hope for the future. They just lived for that day. But since they came to know Christ Jesus, they saw the kingdom of God with their eyes of faith. They had the hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom. They experienced new joy, new hope, and new life through Jesus Christ. That was a miracle in their lives. Paul reminded them of the Holy Spirit and the miracles in their lives when they believed in Jesus.

Third, we are credited righteous before God when we live by faith.(6-9) Look at verses 6-7. “Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.” In America keeping a good credit score is very important. How is your credit score? If you have a bad credit score, you cannot buy a car, a house, or even  rent an apartment. When a tenant applies for a rental house, I always check their credit score first. How did Abraham gain his credit from God? By his good works? No. He failed many times in his works and messed up his credit score. How, then, was he credited before God as righteous? Genesis 15:6 says, “Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Abraham was grumpy because God had not given him a son even though 10 years had passed since God had promised him one. We also feel sorry for ourselves [BPW5] when God does not answer our prayer in our own time. But faith in God includes faith in His timing. Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Because of his impatience and complaints, Abraham lost his credit. But, Abraham immediately repented of his sins and believed in God’s promise. He restored his credit through his faith and repentance. When he believed the Lord, it was credited to him as righteousness. The Galatians had no way to have credit from God. They were like illegal immigrants who had no social security number, no driver’s license, no bank account[BPW6]  and so on. They could not enter the kingdom of God. They had no way to gain citizenship in the kingdom of God. They had no idea how to receive all the benefits as people of God. But, when they believed in Jesus Christ, they gained all these things at once. They didn’t need a credit score, social security number, or any other legal document for God’s kingdom. Only through faith in Jesus Christ did they receive God’s credit and become children of God. What a blessing, and what marvelous grace of God!

Fourth, we share Abraham’s blessing when we live by faith (8,9). Look at verses 8,9 “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 have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” In these verses Paul says that when we live by faith, we are not only credited to God as righteous, but also are blessed along with Abraham. What blessings did Abraham receive through his faith? The book of Genesis says that Abraham became rich; had many sons including Isaac, the son of the covenant; and lived a long life[BPW7] . Wealth, children, and long life are indeed among God’s blessings. However, God’s blessing for Abraham was more than these visible things. Abraham became the ancestor of faith for God’s chosen people and the source of blessing for world salvation through Jesus Christ. God announced the gospel in advance to Abraham through his promise in Genesis 12:3. “All nations will be blessed through you.”

  We want to be blessed as children of God. Right? What blessings do you expect from God? Wealth, health, children, and long life? God will bless you with more than these. God will make you a blessing for the whole world. How do I know? I don’t know, but I believe in God’s promise: “So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” I taught this promise to Michael Lanier, who trusts in me and follows the Bible. If I didn’t believe this God’s promise, I lied to Michael. Indeed Michael will share Abraham’s blessing. I do believe that God will make Michael a blessing for the world. There is a quote about faith: “Faith; it’s all about believing, you don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will.” Amen.

Part 2. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. (10-14)

   What happens to those who rely on the law? What happens to those who try to become perfect by their own will and effort?  Paul says that they are under the curse of the law. Look at verses 10,11. “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Paul quoted three verses from the Old Testaments in order to explain why we have to live by faith, not by observing the law. (Deut 27:26, Hab 2:4, Lev 18:5) Those who rely on the law are under a curse because the law continually demands them to be perfect by keeping all the laws. Those who depend on the law become legalistic and self-righteous. They are under a curse because of their self-condemnation when they do not reach to their own standard. Their life becomes tired and miserable because they always compare themselves with others. They have no peace in their hearts.

  What did Christ do for those who are under the curse of the law? Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Look at verse 13. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” The word, ‘redeem’ (exagorazo) means “buy out of slavery” by paying a price. Christ paid the price through his death on the cross. We were slaves to sin such as unbelief, lust, pride, self-righteousness, fear, despair, selfishness, laziness, and so on. We were condemned by the law. The curse of law results in death. But Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. What does this mean? This means Christ bore all our sins in his own body on the cross and paid the price of our sin. He bore the punishment of God’s wrath on the cross for every violation of the law by every man.

  In conclusion, Paul explains why Christ redeemed us, the purpose of his redemption. Look at verse 14. “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Christ did not redeem us for only for our salvation. He redeemed us to be blessing to others, too.  In modern terms the Gentiles are unbelievers. God wants us to share Abraham’s blessing, which we received by faith, with others. This is why we preach the gospel, teach the Bible, and share our testimonies with others. When we do so, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. God will fill us with his Spirit every day, and we’ll bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit abundantly. The righteous will live by faith. I pray that we all receive God’s blessing through living by faith. Amen!

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• Galatians message-03-1-14_edited.doc

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