What can we do to receive God’s blessings and promises?
Jul 6, 2011
The Race for Grace - part six in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaudet
God’s blessings and promises come in gift form only.
What do we have to do to receive them?
“All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law’ . . . Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Galatians 3:10, 13-14
The curse.
The blessing.
The promise.
The curse: The Law of God curses “everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Because we cannot do everything God’s Law requires, “All who rely on observing the law” are under a curse. God’s law curses everyone. It never blesses anyone.
To make matters worse . . . there’s no way to “reverse the curse.” The curse of the Law bears down on each and every one of us. Once released it must deliver its bitter contents.
Jesus “redeemed us from the curse of the law” by allowing the sting of the Law to empty its poison into His body. Jesus said, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:42 The “cup” Jesus drank represents the curse of the Law.
There is a curse with each one of our names on it . . . a cup someone must drink. Either we drink it ourselves or Christ drinks it for us.
When Jesus was hanging from the cross, religious officials might well have quoted the following passage from Deuteronomy in order to discredit Jesus; “anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” “Hanging from the cross is the same as being ‘hung on a tree,’” they argued. “How could someone who is clearly under God’s curse be His Son and spokesperson?”
What Jesus’ detractors failed to understand is that Jesus chose to be cursed. He voluntarily experienced the Law’s curse so that we could experience the Father’s blessing. This is why Jesus had to die. When we assume that we can earn God’s favor by commandment keeping we imply that “Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:21
The blessing: God’s blessing is extended to the man or woman who follows in Abraham’s footsteps. Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Therefore, ”those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Galatians 3:9
God blesses those who believe. It’s important to remember that the blessing preceded the curse. Before the Law cursed those who misbehaved, the Father blessed those who believed.
The promise: God promised, “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:27 Obedience matters to God . . . this is why He promised to send His Spirit. God promised that His Spirit would “move” us to “follow” His “decrees” and “keep” His “laws.”
Faith is the key to experiencing both His blessings and His promises. It is “by faith” that we “receive the promise.” Those “who have faith are blessed.”
We’re inclined to believe that obedience is the reason for God’s blessing and promise; when we “do” . . . then we’re “blessed.” The opposite is true; when we’re “blessed” . . . then we “do.” Our obedience is the result of God’s blessing and promise, not the reason.
God’s blessing and promise are gifts given to those who believe.