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.”
Summary: Following the Law is like following God and doing everything he does just like he does it.
Our last meditation, “Tank Full,” looked at what it means to “rely on faith.” We talked about how “faith” is not a “thing” in and of itself. Rather, faith is a word that describes what we do, especially when the reason for what we do is because of our belief in God.
In today’s passage, we see Paul saying something similar. When he writes, “For all who rely on the works of the law,” he points us to people who have faith in the law. Once again, the definition of “faith” is important. In this case, someone who relies on the law must “do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
How does that work?
If you want to do everything written in the Book of the Law, there are a few conditions. First, you must know the law. Knowing the law means knowing both the words in the Book of the Law and understanding them.
Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses gave them final instructions. One of those instructions dealt with the rules for the future king of Israel. Moses said the king should “write for himself … a copy of this law,” and then “read it all the days of his life.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-19) Unfortunately, knowing the law is not the same thing as understanding the law.
When the Israelites settled in the land, they eventually wanted a king. The first king was Saul, and the second was David. The third king was David’s son, Solomon. “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.” (2 Kings 10:23) Yet, even with his immense wealth and wisdom, Solomon was not able to keep the law (Nehemiah 13:26).
The law is a wall between right and wrong, the godly and ungodly. It is a wall that is impossibly high. At the top of the wall is the land of the righteous. The people there are godly and always do what is right. Yet, if anyone missteps, if there is the slightest hint of wrongdoing, they fall away from the land of the righteous and end up at the bottom of the wall.
To “rely on the works of the law” is to suppose that we can climb the wall to the land of the righteous on our own. To know and apply the Law as God does requires a person to be God. Only one man can legitimately make that claim. His name is Jesus.
Application: Faith in Jesus is much more productive than faith in the Law.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to be “cursed,” as the word appears in today’s passage?
What does it mean to be “cursed,” as the word appears in today’s passage.
I believe that the “cursed” would be condemn by God trying to live their life following the law. Nobody can live a life following God’s law 100% as God sees righteous unless they were God. The cursed would try to follow the strict law and fail by the measurements they set to follow and fall short every time condemning themselves. Deuteronomy 27 :26 goes into this that if you live under the law that you will be under the threat of being cursed by God.
Thanks, Tim!
Great verse reference! 🙂
The curse is when God allows people to suffer the consequences of trying to become righteous on their own accord. It is a curse because we live a life isolated from Him, without righteousness, which leads to death, instead of life through Him.
As T cited, “as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'” refers back to Deuteronomy 27 :26.
Deuteronomy 27:26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.”
Upholding the law means recognizing that God’s Laws are designed to help us turn from sin. Carrying them out means we commit to turning from sin. But that doesn’t settle the debt that sin has already created, or untangle us from the sins we have committed. For that we need a savior. Jesus came to pay that debt, and to change our hearts. To lift the curse, to give us life.
Thank you, Chris.
I like the way you point to the “consequences” of what we choose to do. God is the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). If we choose not to breathe the air, there are consequences. In the same way if we choose to ignore God, there are consequences, too.
3-20-2024, What does it mean to be “cursed,” as the word appears in today’s passage?
Appreciate T and CH!
The Law itself is perfect and holy, demanding perfection and to those who try to justify themselves before God it becomes His curse upon them. Trying to achieve salvation through obedience to the Law is hopeless. It can point out where we fail, fall short of God’s will, but it cannot pronounce us righteous; that was not its purpose.
Romans 3:10, 23.
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. Galatians 3:19
God put forward [Christ Jesus] as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26
Do we then overthrow the law by faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Romans 3:31
The curse of the Law fell on Christ on our behalf so that the righteousness of God could fall on us, though we did not deserve it.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Hi Ron,
Your comment points us to the curse that fell upon Christ at his crucifixion. You are right. To understand the “curse” in human terms, there is no better illustration than Jesus being tortured and killed the way he was. To extrapolate on that, if we don’t turn to Christ, we can expect more of the same for eternity.
Personally, I’d rather accept Jesus’ offer of life with him after the curse was broken!
Great comments everyone. I appreciate what everyone shared today.
A while back, I took out some time to study details of the crucifixion of Jesus. I saw myself becoming focused on one detail, where blood and water came out of His side as the Roman soldier pierced His Him with a spear. You gotta Google ” blood and water from Jesus side.” Read some of the descriptions of what this indicated, what Jesus endured for us. It will break your heart.
Thank you, Ron.
I’ve read some of the descriptions you mention. Very powerful indeed!