Bible Questions and Answers

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

The Law carries a curse for any who fails to obey everything in the Law.

Deuteronomy 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Jeremiah 11:3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Sin is the transgression of the Law

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

No one other than Jesus Christ kept the Law and thus all were condemned by it.

Therefore we cannot be justified (counted righteous) by trying to keep the Law.

The promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God was not by keeping the Law but by faith.

Faith is the belief that God would provide a redeemer and is demonstrated by a determined effort to obey God in our lives.

The promise of eternal life was assured to Abraham because he believed God.

Abraham’s faith was counted for righteousness before the Law was given at Sinai.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Faith is not part of the Law.

To attain to eternal life by the Law it must be kept without fault.

Clearly, no one other than Jesus Christ has ever been able to do this.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Christ, having kept the Law perfectly, was brought under its curse through no fault of his own.

He was hanged on a tree (a wooden stake) and thus brought under the curse of the Law.

Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

In raising Jesus to life God shows that the Law is no longer in force.

The Law belonged to the Old Covenant which God made with Israel at Sinai.

Israel failed to keep the Covenant and God promised a New Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

The New Covenant replaces the Old; including the Law

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant.

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

In Christ we come under the New Covenant and the Law is replaced by the commandments of Christ.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

In Christ, our faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:3 Now to him that worketh (i.e. keeps the Law) is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not (does not keep the Law), but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Thus, we are blessed in the same way as Abraham.

In conclusion, those who believe the Gospel and are baptised into Christ are not required to observe the Law of Moses, given at Sinai. They are required to obey the commandments of Jesus Christ; knowing that sins can be forgiven by confession in prayer. To endeavour to live by Christ’s commandments demonstrates faith. If we make no effort to live by Christ’s commandments our faith is dead and cannot save us.

I hope you find this helpful.
Glenn