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Breaking the Curse

Breaking the Curse

Words of Faith 5-24-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Galatians 3

     [10] 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." [11] Clearly no one is justified before God by the Law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." [12] The Law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." [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." [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.

 

     Paul gets more pointed here. The issue of Law and Grace is not just a matter of choosing one style over another. The "party of the circumcision" that Paul referred to was not only a different denomination or an alternative viewpoint. Ultimately, it was a cursed way of life because relying on the Law places one under a curse. Now that was not just an opinion. He quoted Scripture to prove the point.

     What Paul revealed here is that there actually is a negative principle that comes along with the most positive of all truths—that we are justified only by Grace that is received through faith. That negative principle is that—conversely, relying upon the Law as a way of justification places one under a curse.

     Now don't misunderstand. Paul is not saying that believers under Grace should reject the Law, instead, that they should not rely upon it for justification. Paul is not saying that Jewish believers in Jesus should cast aside the observance of dietary laws and customs or that we should not adhere to the Ten Commandments.

     Paul IS saying that no believer in Grace can, at the same time, rely upon the Law for their salvation and justification before God. The two are mutually exclusive. And the consequence of going back under the Law is significant.

     The Law is not based upon faith-- trusting in the work of Jesus for us. It is based upon works-- those things that we can do for ourselves. If we go backward, we place ourselves under the very curse that Jesus endured for us. Those living under the principle of Law are under the curse of the Law, for the Law pronounces a curse upon all who fail to keep the Law in its entirety. No one is justified by Law since the Law itself teaches that men are justified by faith. No mixture of these principles is possible. They are mutually exclusive.

     Jesus did two things for us on the cross. He redeemed us from the curse that the Law has imposed on everybody. He also did the work necessary for us to receive the promise of the Spirit made to Abraham that is fulfilled for all who believe in Christ as Savior. There isn't any better news than that!

     The personal question is this: Have you been living under a curse? If you have been trying to live a "good enough life" to gain the approval of God… if you have been trying to obey religious rules to gain acceptance before Him… you are living under a curse.

       What is the answer? The answer is to receive wholly and completely the Grace offered by Jesus on the cross. He broke the power of the curse of Law. Receive the freedom that is provided in the promise of the Spirit. Begin walking in freedom and obedience by the power of the Spirit in you.

 

     Father God, I want nothing to do with a curse. I give thanks that the Lord Jesus broke the curse pronounced by the Law. I receive the freedom offered by Your Grace. I welcome the freedom provided by Your Spirit to walk in obedience. In Jesus' Name.

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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