Millions have been deceived into thinking God's law is a curse and that you are cursed if you keep the law.. Some say "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Therefore we don't have to keep the law - Christ kept it for us." Or so goes a familiar - but erroneous - argument! This false argument takes the form of many Sunday sermons that, unfortunately, lead many professing Christians away from the truth (Jeremiah 50:6). Let's examine the key Bible passage around which the whole question revolves, and see just what Paul meant!
The main verse in controversy(and misunderstood) is Galatians 3:13: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us." Read in your own Bible what the curse of the law really is. First, let's notice what this verse does not say:
What The Bible Doesn't Say
(1) It does not say that if you keep the law you will be under some terrible curse. Just the opposite is true. Satan himself knows that those who keep God's spiritual law will be richly blessed, and that breaking the law brings a curse upon mankind. Thus the arch-deceiver of this world (Revelation 12:9) inspires deceived ministers (II Corinthians 11:13-15) to preach the diabolical lie that keeping God's law brings a curse.
{2) This verse does not say we don't have to keep God's spiritual law. The same Paul who wrote Galatians also wrote, "The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12). Paul also said that it is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but the doers of the law who shall be justified (Romans 2:13). What, then, is the" Curse Of The Law" ?
DEATH PENALTY FOR DISOBEDIENCE!
Simply stated, the "Curse of The Law" is the death penalty for disobedience ! Romans 6:23 clearly states, "For the wages of sin is death." And James 1:15 says, "Sin, when it is fuIl-grown, brings forth death." And what is sin? Sin is the transgress ion, or disobeying, of God's law (I John 3:4)! Now back to Galatians 3:13. Christ became a curse for us in that He accepted the curse of disobedient mankind upon His shoulders.
In Old Testament times, sinners were put to death and some times hung on a tree in full view of the people as a testimony that sin brings the death penalty (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). By allowing sinful mankind to crucify Him, the sinless Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse (death penalty) of the law. As the latter part of Galatians 3:13 states, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."
BLESSINGS FOR KEEPING GOD'S LAW
Keeping God's law brings great blessings, and Satan does not want mankind to be blessed. That is why he has deceived mankind into thinking that God's law, being a curse, was done away. Stop and think for a moment: What curse befalls mankind for obeying. the Ninth Commandment, the one against bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16)? A person who does not lie will have a clear conscience. He will not have to fear being caught in a web of lies and being punished or humiliated in front of others. He will actually be a blessing to other people because they will be able to trust in his word. What about an individual who never steals (Exodus 20:15)? Here is a person who pays his taxes honestly and becomes, in a sense, a blessing to the government because he willingly submits to its laws. His clear conscience enables him to be at peace with himself because he is fair and just in all of his dealings.
Those who obey the commandment that states "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus20:14) reap many benefits. A couple's marriage will be preserved and they will grow closer together in mutual trust, love and admiration. The attraction that first characterized their relationship will deepen as the years pass. The romantic experience will be richly rewarding - so unlike the false so-called love relationships of so many today. The children born to a couple who believe and obey this Seventh Commandment will be blessed with a stability and happiness that is rare in the 20th century.
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
Keeping all of God's laws brings to man the richest of blessings. Speaking of God's commandments, David said: "More to be desired are they than gold ... and in keeping them there is great reward" (Psalm 19:10-11 ). God said of His people, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29). Keeping God's laws brings spiritual blessings, as well. When we show our willingness to obey God, He blesses us with more understanding of His plan: "A good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalm 111:10). Ultimately, for those who accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as payment for their sins and continue in an obedient attitude, God will give them eternal life. It is not that law keeping earns salvation; on the contrary, eternal life is a gift from God (Romans 6:23). But God will not save one who is in rebellion against His commandments (Matthew 19:17)
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No, God's law has not been done away. God's spiritual Law, summarized by the Ten Commandments, is as permanent as God Himself. Those commandments, with all God's other laws, reflect God's very character. A major part of our becoming more like God is our willingness to keep and live by His holy, righteous, perfect law!
