Daily Devotions

Galatians

Galatians 
Day 
Day 50

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law..."

Text: Galatians 3:13a

THE DOCTRINE OF REDEMPTION

How would a person be justified in the sight of God? How does faith cause a person to be justified and be declared righteous? After establishing that by the works of the law no one would be able to stand justified, Paul proceeded to explain the doctrine of redemption.

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’).

Galatians 3:13

1. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law”

a) The word “Christ” is used deliberately.
b) Paul was using this word to teach that The Messiah Himself is the Redeemer.
c) The Messiah-Redeemer and His work.
i) He has redeemed all who turn to Him in faith.
ii) He has redeemed them from being under the curse of the law.
iii) The justified would not be under any curse of the law.
iv) He has been redeemed from the penalty of the law.
d) Faith is required.
i) To believe in Christ.
ii) To believe in His word of redemption.

2. “Having become a curse for us”

a) The obvious reference is to Jesus.
b) He is Jesus the Christ.
c) He is the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
d) He took the curse upon Himself when He bore our sins on the Cross at Calvary.
e) Hence the curse of the law is no more!

3. It is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

a) This is a text taken from Deuteronomy 21:22-23.
b) The reference is to a person who is hanged (punitively).
c) Paul drew an analogy from this ancient text.
d) Christ was hanged on a cross (similar idea); He took the curse of the law upon Himself.