Redeemed From the Curse of the Law

“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.’” Gal. 3:10.

“. . . for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20.

“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.” Rom. 5:20.

The law was a fitting test to see what people were capable of doing, because “. . . the law is not of faith, but ‘The man who does them shall live by them.’” Gal. 3:12.

There were many sincere souls in Israel who tried hard to live a blameless life according to the law. Nevertheless, there was always something that they neglected to do and so they knew that they were cursed. Jesus now says to such upright souls: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. This shows us how the law was a tutor unto Christ. Those who ignored the law did not share in the chastening by the law. They also rejected Christ. However, those who were faithful in the first covenant partook of the chastening by the law unto Christ.

“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’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Gal. 3:13-14.

There were not many in Israel who were sufficiently humbled by the curse of the law to receive Christ. They were adamant in trying to establish their own righteousness and would not submit to the righteousness of God, which is Christ. Rom. 10:3-4. It was easier for the Gentiles who did not have a righteousness of their own to defend. They were sinners with a heathen background, but the Jews were unwilling to humble themselves that deeply, and so Jesus became a rock of offense for them. Rom. 9:30-33. They thought too highly of themselves.

Nevertheless, there were 120 souls in the upper room who had been faithful under the first covenant. They had been so deeply humbled by the law that they had no righteousness of their own to defend. They put their faith in Christ and submitted to the righteousness of God. Then they were set free from the curse of the law, and they received the Spirit, which had been promised.

What a difference that made! Instead of being under the curse they were now led by the Spirit. No wonder that people thought they were full of new wine! Now the Spirit was to accomplish the work in and through them, which the law could not do. The law could only make demands, which they had been powerless to fulfill, but now the Spirit had endued them with power from heaven. Previously they had to remember commandments and regulations; now they had become the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit was to teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all things that Jesus had told them. John 14:15-26.

Now they had received a far better hope! How much more would they, who had failed in all their striving to obey the law, obey the Holy Spirit, who would enable them to fulfill all God’s will! Previously they had hoped to fulfill a part of God’s will, but now they had received faith to do all God’s will. They had received this precious faith through the new covenant in Jesus’ blood, and they did not hesitate to enter in!

Today, many people want to rejoice in the Spirit, but they do not want to obey the Spirit. Such people have broken the covenant, for the Spirit was to lead us into all truth. There are also many people who have the understanding that in the old covenant they had to do something, but in the new covenant we don’t need to do anything, because Jesus has done it all for us. But what about the Spirit who is supposed to lead us! In the old covenant they were required to do something, yet they always fell short. In the new covenant we shall do all things and yet not fall short. The new covenant is not meant to make us worse than we were in the old covenant. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Rom. 8:14. The Spirit leads us to do God’s will, and in the new covenant we have made a commitment to be obedient.