sermon notes: Galatians 3.10-14

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’ But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, ‘Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’—in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

(Gal 3.10-14, NRSV)

Everyone has a relationship with God. Outside of Christ, our relationship with God is characterized by our hostility towards God and His wrath towards us. Rutted in this predicament, we ask, “What can I do about the situation?” Paul’s replies: “Nothing. Give up hope of trying to get out of this dilemma. You’re powerless to effect change in the relationship.” In Galatians 3.10-14, Paul gives four indicative statements supported by Old Testament echoes to show why this is the case and how God has effected change in Christ.

First, All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. (v.10) Paul echoes the Covenant Contract in Deuteronomy 27-30, emphasizing how disobedience of the covenant contract results in being placed under a curse. Hypothetically speaking, complete obedience before God is impossible, because it must be both (a) perfect and (b) from a heart that is right from God. Even if someone were able to perform the law perfectly, the Bible tells us that the heart of man is wicked beyond measure. The most astute and devoted Pharisee would still miserably fail to meet the requirements of the law.

The second indicative statement, found in verse 11, states that obedience to the law has never been the route to a restored relationship with God. Faith is what matters. Paul writes that No one is justified before God by the law, quoting Habakkuk 2.4. Harking back to Genesis, we see that faith is what commended Abraham to God. In Romans 4, Paul argues the point that Abraham was justified before the law was even given, showing how focus on the law as the means of justification is a failure to see that all along faith is what matters.

The third indicative statement is seen in verse 12: The law does not rest on faith. He echoes Leviticus 18.15: Whoever does the works of the law will live by them. Hypothetically speaking, he who keeps the law perfectly and with a good heart would “live” (that is, be alive unto God) by them. But again: no one can do this, which is why Paul can say in the preceding verse that no one is justified before God by the law.

We are simply incapable of perfectly obeying the law from a right heart. The problem doesn’t come from a lack of effort but from a corrupted heart. I am my own best example of how my own efforts won’t work to justify me before God. I choose disobedience and death. I choose what I want over what God wants. My heart is corrupted, ruined, sin-logged and petrified. We are by nature eager to break commands and enthusiastic about rebellion. It’s in our nature, in our heart. We’re all addicts to sin: we want more and more and more until we die from the wrath of God. As far as my relationship with God goes, there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s all “bad news bears” until verse 13.

Paul writes, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He echoes Deuteronomy 21.23; those who broke God’s covenant would be killed and then “strung up” as an example to all who passed by. Jesus took on our unfaithfulness, our sin, and he took our place, suffering the penalty of our covenant breaking. Christ redeemed us from death by becoming death for us. Today I will earn the wrath of God, but I won’t experience it, because Christ has already experienced it for me.

The consequences of Christ redeeming us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us are two-fold in verse 14. Not only do we experience the blessing of Abraham (justification, being made right with God) but we also receive the Spirit through faith. Not only am I forgiven of my rebellion, not only am I reconciled to God, not only am I justified before the Judge, not only am I delivered from God’s wrath, but I am also filled with God’s Spirit and given new spiritual life! And why? The answer is found in Romans 5.7-8: Rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. The reason we are given not just justification (which we don’t deserve) but the presence of God Himself living in us (which we ABSOLUTELY don’t deserve) is LOVE.

The gospel is God saying, “I love you, and I gave my life for you. Don’t try earning it, because you can’t. Just let me love you.” By embracing Christ in faith and repentance, our relationship with God—formerly marked by hostility and wrath—becomes a relationship marked by love, intimacy, and fellowship with God. Such a change is effected that we don’t relate to God as the terrifying Judge but as the devoted Father. And the reason for all of this is love.