The Curse Is Broken!

Scripture – Galatians 3:10-14: ¹⁰All 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.” ¹¹Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” ¹²The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” ¹³Christ 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.” ¹⁴He 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.

Reflection: – The other night I was watching a TV program that featured a character who lived with an inner driver that constantly said, “Be perfect!” I know that driver, and it’s no fun. The simple fact is, I can never be perfect – even if I know all the rules. No matter how much time I spend with it, the lawn will never be quite right. I can revise a paper fifteen times, and it still won’t be quite ready for publication. I can clean a window over and over, and there will always be a little streak or smudge somewhere. All that driver will do is drive me crazy.

The “curse of the law” is that sense of always trying to be good enough, but never knowing if I am. And so, Christ redeemed us from that curse. Through His cross he took the requirements of the law out of play. So I don’t have to worry about being perfect or even good enough. Through faith in Him, I’m free to live imperfectly, knowing I can’t lose His love or His grace. That is good news!

How do you experience the curse of the law? How does faith in Christ help you deal with that?

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate tomorrow morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Reading for Sunday, May 11:

Scripture – Galatians 3:15-18: ¹⁵Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.