Are You Cursed? - October 30

Read Galatians 3:10-12

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for the “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”

Reflect

Why is the law unable to justify anyone before God?

Six hundred and thirteen. According to some Old Testament scholars, that is the number of commandments from God in the Old Testament. Now, there is some debate as to whether or not that is the correct count. Some commands seem to be simply repetitions or further explanations of previous commands so it can be difficult for scholars to agree on the exact number.

Regardless, that is A LOT of commandments! How in the world would anyone be able to perfectly keep them all? Well, that’s just it. No one can. No one has. And no one ever will…except for Jesus Christ. He is the only person to have ever lived perfectly obedient to the law.

Now, when asked how they know they will go to heaven when they die, many people cite their good works. They say things like, “Well, I’m a mostly good person” or “I believe my good deeds outweigh my bad, so I should be good.” But that is not how obedience to the law works! In today’s verses, Paul quoted from the last book of the law, Deuteronomy 27:26 that whoever doesn’t completely obey and follow all of the commands written in the book of the law is cursed. Cursed means that they are condemned.

You see, it isn’t about who can obey most of the laws. It isn’t about who obeys more often than they disobey. The law requires total obedience. Regardless of the actual number of commands in the Old Testament law, we know that no one can perfectly keep just the 10 Commandments. But perfection is what is required. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

This is the folly of legalism. People who place their faith in the law are staking their eternal destiny on their ability to perfectly keep the law. Which we all know is an impossibility. Those who reject God’s blessing of righteousness based on faith are subjecting themselves to the wrath of God. They are cursed.

Friends, there is only one way to be righteous before God. The righteous shall live by faith. Those trust in the law are cursed because no one is justified before God by the law. No one can perfectly keep the law and those who rely on the law are rejecting the gift of grace that is only ours through faith in Christ. Don’t put your trust in a curse. Put your faith in Christ!

Respond

Lord, I confess that I have failed to keep Your law. I know that I am a sinner. Apart from Your grace, I would be cursed. But my hope isn’t in my ability to keep the law. My hope is in You. You have made me righteous, Lord. I live by faith in You. Amen.

Reveal

This week, look for someone who’s hard on themselves—someone who constantly feels like they’re never “good enough,” whether it’s as a parent, employee, student, or friend. Instead of trying to fix their mindset, share a moment of honesty about your own imperfections and how exhausting it can be to feel like you have to measure up all the time. Offer to take a break together—grab coffee, go for a walk, or share a small laugh over something ordinary. In showing grace toward yourself and them, you quietly communicate that worth doesn’t come from perfection or performance, but from being loved and accepted right where you are. That kind of grace speaks louder than any sermon.