Is "The Law" a Curse?

[AdHoc]

20 hours ago, Bawb said:

What is the curse of the law in Galatians 3:10-13?

“The law is a curse!” You probably have heard that a lot of times from teachers and preachers who argue that the law of God has already been done away with — that we are no longer under the law and thus, we are free from doing whatever we want to do.

The primary verse people use to support their argument is Galatians 3:10 through 13 - 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).

From these verses, people draw misguided conclusions such as:

    1. Anyone who follows the law would be under a curse.
    2. The law of God is a curse.
    3. We are justified by faith and there’s no need to perform the works of the law.

Are these conclusions accurate? Let’s see...

The first thing we must take note of is what Galatians 3:10-13 really says and not what it doesn’t say.

Undoubtedly, Paul mentioned the “curse of the law” in verse 13. However, what Paul didn’t say is that the law is the curse. What He was saying is that there’s a curse pronounced by the law, but the law was NEVER a curse itself!

Now, since there’s a curse of the law, who are those people who receive this curse?

The Apostle Paul gave us the answer in verse 10: “Cursed is everyone who does NOT continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

Did you get that? Paul was saying that there’s a curse of the law and this curse is cast on those people who DOES NOT follow the law of God!

What popular Christianity teaches today completely missed the point of Paul. They are saying that those who keep the law will be under a curse. Yet, the Bible tells us something that is contrary to this popular belief! Instead those people who keep the law will be under curse, Paul was saying that those who do not keep the law are the ones who are under a curse!

What a great difference!

So, what was the main point of Paul in Galatians 3:10-13?

His main point is that anyone who breaks the commandment and law of God is under a curse. Those who sin would be guilty and will incur the penalty of the law, which is death: Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Death is the curse of the law. Galatians 3:10 is actually quoted from Deuteronomy 27:26: Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”

Galatians 3:13 is reminiscent to Deuteronomy 21:22-23: “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.”

Everyone of us is like the man who has “committed a sin deserving of death” referred to these verses. Because of this, all of us deserve to be hung on a tree, suffer the death penalty, and become a “cursed” sinner.

Since we all sinned, we deserve the penalty or curse of the law, which is death. However, Jesus Christ or Yeshua perfectly kept the law and thus, He is not under the curse of the law. He didn’t deserve any death penalty.

Just like what Paul said in Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.”

Instead of us, dying for our sins, Christ died for us. Yeshua “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).

That’s the meaning of Galatians 3:10-13. As a summary, Paul was saying here that those people who don’t keep the law and transgress it will be under the curse of the law, which is DEATH.

However, because of the great love of God for us, Yeshua came to die on our behalf. He bore the full penalty and curse of the law and died for us so that we might live for righteousness.

Galatians 3:10-13 DOES NOT AND NEVER DID SAY that we are not to keep the law of God anymore!

Furthermore, those who falsely state the "Old Testament" was done away with and is no longer valid or applies to "Christians" really need to look at this! VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/List-of-300-Old-Testament-passage-quotes-in-New-Testament-Septuagint-Codex-Vaticanus-LXX-Masoretic-MT-Jewish-Tanakh-Bible.htm

This theme is well worth discussion. In the age of grace or Lord uses conciliatory language, urging repentance. He sharply rebuked His disciples for wanting to call down fire on the Samaritans in Luke 9:54-56. So it is glaringly obvious that the theme and subject of a Christian and the Law provokes God to utter; "I would they were even cut off which trouble you" in Galatians 5:12.

The reason for the Law of Moses was tat God would dwell with Israel. A nation so privileged to be host to the Eternal God had to be ritually clean and a testimony to the attributes of this great God. The Law, when fulfilled, gave God His due, gave man his due and gave the Land its due. The Law, to give it teeth, and make Israel keep it, was given in the form of a Covenant - a Contract. And like any contract it had advantages and penalties. The penalties are called "curses" in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. The Law also assumed that the man who broke it was a "Law-breaker and made him responsible for breaking the whole Law.

If the Law was kept by a man, he was justified before God. The word "justified" implies a court case with a presiding judge. The Jew stood before the inhabitants of his village, town or city and was judged by them. In complicated matters the Levites were called upon, but generally a matter of law was clear. The beauty of the 600 plus Laws of Moses was that they are clear and unambiguous. But there was a special case in the Law. One man, blood descendant of Levi via Aaron was commanded to enter the Veil which separated a holy God from profane men. For this dangerous but glorious task, the Law was not enough to justify the High Priest of Israel. To be justified before God and avoid instant death, the High Priest was give special sacrifices, special washings and a special clothing. Thus, God's justification was for surviving God's presence, and the Law's justification was for remaining on the Land (e.g. Deut.4:40).

Now, the big dilemma facing a Gentile Christian is; (I) how can God not only be WITH him (as He was with Israel), but how can God be IN a Christian whose flesh is utterly corrupted? And (II) if the Christian ex-Gentile is seed of Abraham, how can one be justified at his judgment to be found worthy of inheriting the earth (Gal.3:29, Rom.4:13). The answer to point (I) is that the Christian, whether ex-Jew or ex-Gentile (for there is no Jew nor Gentile in the New Man - 2nd Cor.5:17, Gal.3:28), has the correct sacrifice (Christ), the correct washing (both the blood and the Word of Christ), the correct clothing (he must "put on Christ"), and the chosen Mediator (Christ). A garment in parable is a man's works (Rev.19:7-8) and the only works judged by God for anyone to enter the Veil is Christ's works IMPUTED. That is why there is only one way to God - Jesus Christ. The WAY t God is decided by God and given by God like Aaron's clothes. But what of the man's justification FOR THE LAND???

Our Lord Jesus Christ will set up His Kingdom on earth and appoint certain of the Christians as co-kings of cities (Lk.19:17-19). For this we must all stand before Christ as Judge (Rom.14:10, 2nd Cor.5:10). And for this lofty job of representing Christ in His Kingdom, a man must be found in a certain condition. He must be (I) born of God (Jn.3:3). (II) He must be baptized (Jn.3:5). He must have learned obedience to God (Matt.7:21). And his character must have transformed (Rom.8:29, 2nd Pet.1:5-11). That is, what he DID, or what SANCTIFIED him counts for this justification. He will not be asked by the Judge if he BELIEVES. He will be asked WHAT HIS ACTIONS in this life where. And IN THIS the conflict of Galatians is rooted!

The ex-Jews, now Christians and members of the New Man, lacking Paul's training and vision, fell back on what God had given Israel for justification for inheriting the LAND - THE LAW. They observed the Law in the Church at Jerusalem, and they traveled to the Churches in Gentile lands to convince them to do the same. The book of Galatians is about this conflict and what God thinks about it. Is the transformation, sanctification and relationship between a Christian and God achieved by him keeping the Law? And if not, what is the power and means to the Christian been changed into a representative of Christ in His Kingdom?

The answer is given in no uncertain terms. NOBODY is justified by Law - neither Jew NOT Gentile. The Law addresses and makes demands on the FLESH and does not change a man's DISPOSITION from within. The Law, though good, God-given and spiritual, addresses man's weakest part - his flesh "in which no good thing dwells!" Added to this, the Law is a Church-KILLER. The Law demands that Jews have no relations with Gentiles. The Law, carried out in a Church, will guarantee DISUNITY. The means by which a Christian is TRANSFORMED is by the HOLY SPIRIT working WITHIN the soul (2nd Cor.3:18). So what does God do? This is not easy. To Israel the Covenant of Law is given and is valid. The "curses" of the Law are in full view of us today. Israel is dispersed among all nations and is mightily persecuted. Some think that the Law is abolished. And that is the point. The Law REMAINS FOR THE JEW. It remains till heaven and earth pass at the White Throne?

But for the New Man, which is made of ex-Jew and ex-Gentile, the Law is abolished. If you believe in Christ's death the Law is dead as well. If you are an Israelite and reject Jesus, the Law, in its full force, applies to you. The Christian is NOT subject to the Law. He is subject the Law of LIFE in Christ Jesus (Rom.8:1-2). He must NOT hear Moses. He mus hear the INDWELLING Christ (Rom.8:14). The Galatian Christian started by FAITH in Jesus for his rebirth. He followed with the first work of obedience - Baptism. Thereafter he must CONTINUE with the Holy Spirit for HIS TRANSFORMATION (or sanctification). The ex-Jew must do the same. He must focus on the holy Spirit and not the Law. The Law, FOR HIM - is abolished - nailed to the cross with Christ. The ex-Gentile NEVER HAD the Law and must ignore it - not because the Law is not good, but because it has no power to change him. He is only condemned to its CURSES because the flesh has been proven over 1,500 years to be inadequate and only to CURSE him.

Does this mean that we Christians are Lawless? No! We have a much stricter walk than the Jew. The Jew must not murder, but he can be the avenger of blood. The Christian must forgive the murder of his loved one. The Jew must love his neighbor as himself. The Christian must love him as Christ loved him! The Christian, in his walk with the Holy Spirit, is MUCH MORE restricted. The Jew shows by his Mercedes Benz that he is a keeper of the Law and has been prospered. The Christian might be forbidden such a car because his ministry is among the poor. The Jew becomes wealthy because the Law promises it if he keeps the Law. the Christian becomes poor because the Spirit asks that he give his money away.

The bottom line is that the Law as a means of SANCTIFICATION for the gaining of the earth is not only inadequate, but a deep insult to the Holy Spirit. The Christian who takes to the Law is saying that the Holy Spirit is unable to transform a man, and that the man, by keeping the Law, is better. Thus is the strong language of Galatians justified. God has defined the way to sanctification. It is not by Law. It is by an intense relationship with Jesus via the Spirit.

[Bawb]

12 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

The bottom line is that the Law as a means of SANCTIFICATION for the gaining of the earth is not only inadequate, but a deep insult to the Holy Spirit. The Christian who takes to the Law is saying that the Holy Spirit is unable to transform a man, and that the man, by keeping the Law, is better. Thus is the strong language of Galatians justified. God has defined the way to sanctification. It is not by Law. It is by an intense relationship with Jesus via the Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit is the one leading us to what Yeshua did and taught (to obey the law to its fullest as you mentioned). He only glorifies Yeshua. The Holy Spirit would not lead a person to NOT KEEPING the law. 

So by a man by NOT keeping the law, is he not worse?

Edited December 29, 2021 by Bawb

[Thornbird]

I believe the law is a curse means that when its jurisdiction under heaven applied condemnation to eternal darkness as its parameters insures no one is able to abide by its tenets.

I think that is why Jesus, Emmanuel, reiterated the commands given Moshe in the encapsulated  version that commanded, Love God,Emmanuel, and one another, with all our minds and hearts 

And stipulated, if we love Emmanuel (God with us), we will keep those commands. All 10 wrapped into two.

 

[R. Hartono]

13 hours ago, Jayne said:

Thank you!!!

I do believe that the Levitical law does not apply to Christians.  But I do NOT believe that I am "free to do what I want." [As the OP states]

Law is basically a Threat of Punishment, If we love God and love others as much as we love our belly do we still need the Law that told us not to kill, not to steal, lie, adultery etc ? @other one@adamjedgar @JohnR7

@Bawb

Edited December 30, 2021 by R. Hartono

[George]

Just throwing out a passage to reflect upon:

Rom 13:8  Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 

Rom 13:9  For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Rom 13:10  Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

[other one]

2 hours ago, Bawb said:

Don't listen to what I say. What does the Bible say? We are to do the laws we can. Abba-Yah would not expect us to do the laws we can't...

Deuteronomy 30:11 and 12 - For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?

That's the problem, people just post a scripture and expect people to have the same thoughts about them.   We don't so if you aren't expressing tour own thoughts and what they mean it's really impossible to have a discussion at all.  We just use different scripture that looked like conflicting things that is detrimental to passers by.

[Bawb]

I Used to Believe the OT Law of GOD was a Curse, that was Before the Holy Spirit of Father YeHoVaH led me to read 1st Cor 12:2-3, and this Humbled me & Convicted me of that Evil thought. These verses are written by Apostle Paul who wrote, "You know that you were nations(Unbelieving Gentiles-Goyim), led away to the dumb idols, even as you might be led. Therefore I make Known to you that No One Speaking By The SPIRIT OF ELOHIM(GOD) says YESHUA is a CURSE, (JESUS-the LIVING WORD OF GOD was Sent to us in the Fleshly--John 1:1 & 1:14), and no one is able to say that YESHUA is Master except by the Set-Apart Spirit. 

It is NOT the HOLY SPIRIT OF FATHER GOD that makes us Think, Believe, & Say that YESHUA JESUS is a CURSE,(because HE is the LIVING TORAH OF GOD in HIS Written Form & Spiritual Form Before HE was sent to earth.  It is also NOT the HOLY SPIRIT giving us these thoughts, Because the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD ONLY GLORIFIES JESUS in ALL of HIS FORMS Physical, Spiritual, & Written.  It is Mis-leading spirits that tell us these things--NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT !  We CANNOT Mix the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD with Any other --it is an ABOMINATION!

Trust me, Please Repent & ask for Father YeHoVaH for Forgiveness & for Deliverance of ALL Misleading spirits & Doctrines of demons that you may have been taught in "Religious Christianity" before you are deceived even more. I say these things with Brotherly Love in my heart, because I too was deceived & Father God had mercy on me when I humbled myself and admitted that I Know Nothing Without HIS SON, His LIVING WORD/TORAH, & HIS HOLY SPIRIT.  Apostle Paul said to lead those back who we see are straying-- in a spirit of meekness & love.  I Love You With the Love of JESUS enough to SPEAK the TRUTH in LOVE.  You will be in my prayers 

[Bawb]

1 hour ago, R. Hartono said:

If we love God and love others as much as we love our belly do we still need the Law that told us not to kill, not to steal, lie, adultery etc ? @other one@adamjedgar @JohnR7

@Bawb

Ah, but do you?

1 John 1:8 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Can you honestly say you have not lusted after a woman?

Matthew 5:28 - But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Can you honestly say you have not been angry at your Brother or Sister?

Matthew 5:22 - But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Do "Christians still get divorced?

Matthew 5:32 - But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
 

This is why the Law is still there. It lets us know how wicked we truly are and our need for repentance and asking for forgiveness. We are not going to be free from the flesh and sin until we receive our glorified bodies. As long as we're in these fleshly bodies, unfortunately we are going to sin. That is why Paul tells us we have to crucify our flesh.

[The_Patriot21]

Its a blessing for those who understand grace, but a curse to those who live by it.

A blessing to those who understand the meaning of the law, but a curse to those who abuse it and twist it to their own purposes.

 

[R. Hartono]

3 hours ago, George said:

Just throwing out a passage to reflect upon:

Rom 13:8  Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 

Rom 13:9  For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Rom 13:10  Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law

@The_Patriot21

@other one

Isnt The Law basically a warning to naughty people who dont  love God and others.

Let me quote George's excellent explanation above.  @Bawb

Edited December 30, 2021 by R. Hartono