What Is The "curse" Of The Law?

[Andrew]

Ga 3:13
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

What does "curse" here mean/include for you?

[Knight]

I think this illustrates man's inability to follow the law perfectly. God has set a very high standard. One that is impossible for any man to follow perfectly. The only one who ever did was Christ Himself. This is why the substitutionary death of Christ is transferred to those who place faith in Him. Had Christ sinned He would have died for his own sin. But He did not.

His death redeems us and His resurrection demonstrates that He is God and the debt of sin has been paid. Prais Him!

(Looks like the sermon I heard on this subject took. :))

[EJO]

I believe, without really studing the text, the previous verses before this one, (vs. 11 - Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because " the rightious will live by faith. 12) The law is not based on faith.)

The curse is trying to live the law, and running around like a hamster in a wheel, trying to be "holy". Yet we are NOT justified by the law, or our works, Thank God. It is what Christ did for us on the cross, and or faith in HIM, that makes us redeemed!

[markd]

The law is the curse.

You can not keep the law.

Legalism is death.

You can not do this by yourself, but Jesus Christ the sinless lamb of God has you covered.

[\o/]

The law is NOT the curse. The curse of the law is the fact that if one breaks the law, there are wages to be paid: death. 

 

When one is converted to Christ and filled with the Spirit of God, the law is written in the believer's mind and heart. He obeys the law, because of the work of God in him. Listen to GOD:

"I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Heb 8:10

 

"in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." Rom 8:4.

[LouisBooth]

According to Paul, the curse of the law is death. Just read his own words explaining what HE means by the "curse of the law.

Its in romans :) chapter 7 :)

the curse of the law is death, sin took the law "captive" and we died.(verse 10).

[Andrew]

Are the long, detailed list of curses in Deu 28 where God says "if you disobey my laws these curses will come upon you...." part of the curse of the law? Or is that irrelevant to the "curse" of the law?

1. the law itself is not the curse -- cos Bible says the law is perfect and good.
2. isnt the curse of the law this: that if you dont obey all of it, 100% of the time, some bad things are going to come upon you -- Well, what are these things or curses? where are they stated in the Bible? besides death what else?

[LouisBooth]

"Are the long, detailed list of curses in Deu 28 where God says "if you disobey my laws these curses will come upon you...." part of the curse of the law? Or is that irrelevant to the "curse" of the law?"

Context andrew. If I take your statements about something say you call someone "hunny" and then I look at someone else's statements and they call someone "hunny" I can't assume you're talking about the same person. Now if you specficially say at another time, "so and so is my hunny." then I can be confidient I know what you're talking about (or who). thus the passage I showed you is the explaition of what paul was refering to in Galatians because he explains himself in that passage. :)

[Andrew]

anyone else care to comment on post #7?

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Are the long, detailed list of curses in Deu 28 where God says "if you disobey my laws these curses will come upon you...." part of the curse of the law? Or is that irrelevant to the "curse" of the law?

1. the law itself is not the curse -- cos Bible says the law is perfect and good.
2. isnt the curse of the law this: that if you dont obey all of it, 100% of the time, some bad things are going to come upon you -- Well, what are these things or curses? where are they stated in the Bible? besides death what else?

Yes Andrew, I believe they are.  God says "I change not", and "He's the same yesterday, today, and forever".

Now, we are no longer under that curse because of what Jesus did for us at the cross.  However, our enemy seeks to "kill, steal, and destroy". Our enemy is a master lier. And too often we spend more time listening to what he says via the world, about our issues.  If we're listening to the world, we're not hearing God.

If we are hearing more of the world, then we put ourselves in agreement with our enemy, walking by his rule, reaping his law of death.

God says, "My sheep know My voice and the voice of another they will not follow." So I think what we need to build up is our listening skills to His voice.  And the only way I know to do that is by the Word.  "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word."

When we have more of His voice speaking into our lives, over the enemy's voice, we will begin to walk like who we are . .. children of God, redeemed from the curse of the law. :D

[didaskalos]

The "curse of the law" is simply a written down version of what was built into creation since day one. The curse did not start when the law was written, and the effect of it in the flesh has not ceased.

There must be justice and in balance in creation. If sin is committed and not forgiven, nature itself will automatically enact justice in some way. That is what "reaping and sowing" is all about. I call it "naturally occurring" justice. No policeman has to seek out the perp... No judge or jury has to be convened to carry out this process. It is built into creation.

Gal 6:
7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man may sow, that he also will reap.
8  For the one sowing to his flesh will reap corruption of the flesh. But the one sowing to the Spirit will reap everlasting life from the Spirit.

Dear friends, this is serious! Do not take sin lightly! The saying goes "be sure your sin will find you out."  How true!

Job 4
8  As I have seen, the ones who plow iniquity and sow misery reap the same.

Pro 22
8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

Some places in the scripture my lead you to believe that God is personlly carrying out this justice, but I think it is nature itself as His proxy. Look at this:

Lev 18:
27  For the men of the land who are before you have done all these disgusting things, and the land is defiled.
28  Do not do these lest the land vomit you out for your defiling it, as it has vomited out the nation that was before you.
29  For anyone who does any of these disgusting things, even the persons who are doing them, shall be cut off from the midst of their people.

Here we see the land itself cleansing itself of whole nations.

I think people miss one important thing in all this. There are two levels or kinds of sins. One is a spiritual sin, which results in spiritual death, and the other is a "flesh" sin that results in the corruption of the flesh or "the curse of the law" which we are discussing.

Look at this principle of the curse of the law:

Heb 2:
2  For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

A sin in nature will receive a "just recompense of reward". That means the "punishment" will match the sin. An eye for and eye... a tooth for a tooth, NOT a life for a tooth: that would not be equal and just. So this also means not a spiritual life for a physical sin. That is not just recompense.

Blessed saints and friends... strive against sin and seek mercy. There is no sin that is hidden, and no unrighteousness that is not bare before His eyes. If you have some sin, confess it and know that He is just and faithful to forgive. Hold no grudge against any, and forgive! Make amends and peace with each other. There is a fearful sorrow that awaits the proud and bitter. I speak as from the Lord

[sbbqb7n16]

Read also:

Romans 7:7-8:4

This is where Paul addresses your question head-on (pretty much). It shows that the law although good and perfect, creates sin, because "where there is no law, there is no transgression." If it wasn't said "don't covet" you wouldn't be guilty of it if you did. Herein lies the "curse." It is embedded in the fact that when you break the law you sin. If there is no law to break, there is no sin, and therefore no curse upon us. The law points out what sin is, and if we break it (which all inevitably do) then we are under the curse. This is one of those wierd topics where you see how it fits together but it's really hard to explain :D. I hope I did a good job! Have a great day!!

[Andrew]

Thanks for all 3 responses, basically, what I want to know from you guys (save Louis) is whether you consider the curses in Deu 28 a curse of the Law. In Deu 28, God says that if we dont obey his laws, then curses will come upon thee eg sickness, poverty, broken relationships, adultery etc.

[LouisBooth]

Not in relation to Paul's own statement, no. Don't take him out of context. I showed you the passage where Paul explained what he ment by curse of the law.

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Thanks for all 3 responses, basically, what I want to know from you guys (save Louis) is whether you consider the curses in Deu 28 a curse of the Law. In Deu 28, God says that if we dont obey his laws, then curses will come upon thee eg sickness, poverty, broken relationships, adultery etc.

Well Andrew,

Maybe I did not understand your question. Hmm, let me think :scratch:

To put it simply, I think the curses are due to disobedience to what God said.  He said if you do what I said, you will be blessed.  If you don't do what I said, you will be cursed.

So we have a choice. Obedience or disobedience.

 :angel:

[Andrew]

Well, quite close Quaffie :)

Deu 28 is OC stuff. under OC system, obey God's laws and you get blessed, disobey and God lets the curses come on you.

Now we are in NC. We get blessed irregardless of obedience or disobedience to laws. ie it's not our performance anymore but Christ's. God blesses us becos of Christ. Of cse, if we disobey and sin -- there are consequences. eg if u speed, u get into an accident, but u cant say God caused the accident.

Christ has redeemed uss also from the curses of the law listed in Deu 28. so by combining Deu 28 and Ga 3:13, we can see what is part of redemption. We can prove that healing and prosperity (among many other things) are part of the redemptive work of Christ.

eg: redeemed from all types of sickness =

Deu 28:61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
+
Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

eg: redeemed from poverty/lack =

Deu 28:17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
+
Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

and so on and so forth.....

so u can see the richness and value of Christ's work. It's so much more than just dying for our sins and giving us his righteousness although that is the most valuable.

[LouisBooth]

Andrew paul explains what he means in another one of his letters, don't put words into his mouth. The curse of the law Paul talks about has nothing to do with the curse of the law in the Deu passage.

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Well, quite close Quaffie :)

Deu 28 is OC stuff. under OC system, obey God's laws and you get blessed, disobey and God lets the curses come on you.

Now we are in NC. We get blessed irregardless of obedience or disobedience to laws. ie it's not our performance anymore but Christ's. God blesses us becos of Christ. Of cse, if we disobey and sin -- there are consequences. eg if u speed, u get into an accident, but u cant say God caused the accident.

Christ has redeemed uss also from the curses of the law listed in Deu 28. so by combining Deu 28 and Ga 3:13, we can see what is part of redemption. We can prove that healing and prosperity (among many other things) are part of the redemptive work of Christ.

eg: redeemed from all types of sickness =

Deu 28:61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
+
Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

eg: redeemed from poverty/lack =

Deu 28:17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
+
Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

and so on and so forth.....

so u can see the richness and value of Christ's work. It's so much more than just dying for our sins and giving us his righteousness although that is the most valuable.

 

Thank you Jesus for your covenant with us.  We are redeemed from the curse of the law.  We don't have to live under it's curse anymore.

 

[LouisBooth]

Sorry quaf, you have to live in a fallen world, you're actually commanded to do so and as cause you are subject to get sick and you can actually be poor too.

[Andrew]

AMEN Quaffie,

You are one of them who has believed the report, to which the arm of the Lord has been revealed! ;)

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by LouisBooth
Sorry quaf, you have to live in a fallen world, you're actually commanded to do so and as cause you are subject to get sick and you can actually be poor too.

 

I may live in it but I'm not of it (Jesus' words), so that makes you wrong Louis. . . :D

And what about PS 91

NIV:

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD , "He is my refuge and my fortress, an my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD , who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD , "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

New KJV:

Psalm 91


I Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;My God, in Him I will trust."

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler; And from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,And ten thousand at your right hand;But it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you,Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra; The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

[LouisBooth]

"I may live in it but I'm not of it (Jesus' words), so that makes you wrong Louis. . . "

*chuckles* that's exactly what I said. You're in it thus you get sick, you're not of it because you don't sin like everyeone else, or you shouldn't anyway. Read hebrews 12. God uses sickness and sometimes causes it. Its his will. God says no sometimes to healing as well quaf.

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by LouisBooth
"I may live in it but I'm not of it (Jesus' words), so that makes you wrong Louis. . . "

*chuckles* that's exactly what I said. You're in it thus you get sick, you're not of it because you don't sin like everyeone else, or you shouldn't anyway. Read hebrews 12. God uses sickness and sometimes causes it. Its his will. God says no sometimes to healing as well quaf.

I'm not of it, meaning I don't have to partake in anything it offers.  Period.  Jesus does not offer me sickness so why should I take it.  He's never said no when I asked Him for healing. 

Maybe He loves me best . . . :D   JUST KIDDING! 

To those who believe they've heard a "no" from God when you requested healing. . .it was not His voice you were hearing.  If you are abiding in Him, whatever you ask He will give. 

Now it may not manifest immediately . . .but none the less, you are healed.  We are to walk by faith, not by sight.  The problem is that most people keep talking according to what they see in the natural, instead of what God says.

I don't know where the scripture is so I ask help from those out there who might know the exact wording. . .there's a scripture that says something about "God speaking the things that are not, as though they are."  I know it's in the NT.

The point is, we need to get our mouths in agreement with the Word of God.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.  Now that's a wise word from Solomon.  He was saying something important.  We should listen.

[Andrew]

Right on Quaffie. I posted this elsewhere but since its brought up again, here it is...

Out of Egypt

Egypt in the Bible represents the secular world. Just as God saved the Israelites out of Egypt through Moses, Christians are saved out of the world through Christ.

* John 15:19
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

* John 17:14
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

* John 17:16
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

This is one reason why we need not suffer like the world does in terms of sickness (and many other bad things). Sicknesses are of the world. Sicknesses belong to the world. Christians are in the world but not of the world. Christians are of God's kingdom.

In Deuteronomy 28:60, God calls diseases, "of Egypt". In God's eyes, sicknesses are of the world. But in God's kingdom -- and we are of His kingdom -- there are no diseases!

* Deuteronomy 28:60
60 Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

* John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

[LouisBooth]

"He's never said no when I asked Him for healing. "

And I hope that continues but don't be surprised if he says no sometime.

"If you are abiding in Him, whatever you ask He will give. "

Exactly and abbiding sometimes mean looking at the wisdome behind a no.

"Egypt in the Bible represents the secular world. Just as God saved the Israelites out of Egypt through Moses, Christians are saved out of the world through Christ. "

Interesting Andrew..so when we are threatened we should go into the world? Christ fled to egypt as a sancuary.

"This is one reason why we need not suffer like the world does in terms of sickness (and many other bad things). Sicknesses are of the world. Sicknesses belong to the world. Christians are in the world but not of the world. Christians are of God's kingdom.
"

Exactly we are not OF THIS WORLD, but we are IN THIS WORLD, and are commanded to be IN THIS WORLD. Thus we are subject to sickness.

Sorry andrew, if your view was right then you should never get sick at all, but you do, so I'm gonna say based on the bible and experience, you're wrong :)