The Daily Word: Friday, September 17th, 2021
Isaiah 25:1-28:13
Galatians 3:10-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 23:17-18
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
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”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. – Gal. 3:13-14
What is the “curse of the law?” The law was the list of requirements that God communicated to His people through Moses for righteousness. If they wanted to be righteous, they had to fulfill the law! They had to earn the right to be in God’s presence. The only problem? The law was impossible to fulfill. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Perfection is required to be in God’s presence! But none of us is perfect. This is the curse of the law: a finish line that can never be reached.
But Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. He became a curse for us! He lived a perfect life: He was the only Man who ever fulfilled God’s requirements for righteousness! But then He made a choice: to die in your place on the Cross, so that by His blood, you could be reconciled to God. Instead of receiving the reward He deserved for a perfect life, He gave up His life so that you could have it. You are far from perfect! But Jesus gave His life so that His perfection could be added to your account.
You are not cursed! Jesus died as the curse of the law for you. But the blood of Jesus not only removes the curse from you; it also adds the blessing of God on to you! The blessing of Abraham – righteousness by faith – has now come upon you because you believe in Jesus! And that means that you never have to work for the love of God ever again.
God loves you! He loves you so much that He not only removed the curse; He also added the blessing. You are righteous by faith, just as Abraham was! And you have received the promise of the Holy Spirit as a deposit:[1] proof positive that God loves you, and He will never change His mind!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die in my place. Jesus, thank You for becoming the curse so that God’s blessing could come upon me! Holy Spirit, thank You for filling me up with miracle-working power, and residing in me as a guarantee that I will receive eternal life, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
“…who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” – 2 Cor. 1:22