Not the Law, But Faith

Christ 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."

Galatians 3:13 (NASB)

When an accused person appears before a judge, guilty or not, their sentence will depend on what the law says about them. The judge's analysis of all the evidence must be based on what the law says. They may very well reconsider their situation if, in their opinion, the arguments presented do not convince them. But if all the evidence supports the charge against the accused, they have no choice but to obey the law and convict them.

Sometimes the law has a good and a bad side. However, for the guilty person, there is neither good nor bad; there is only the application of the law. This is precisely where God has decided to change the situation for us, because we are all guilty. Instead of condemning us for our sins in the name of the law, He saw fit to show us mercy, out of love for us, by making His Son suffer the punishments required by the law. Thus, in Christ, the law does not condemn us, for God annulled the sentence on the cross.

What the judge could not do, even though he was not convinced of the defendant's guilt, God did, even though He declared us all guilty. The sentence He pronounced on Jesus Christ because of our sins was a curse and a public humiliation. For hanging on a tree was a way of showing how much the worth of a guilty person could be diminished. Jesus endured it without being guilty. You and I have reason to be grateful to God for this wonderful gift of grace. It is no longer the law that guides us, but faith in Jesus, who gave himself for us.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.