Understanding the Curse of the Law

by esther phinias | 10 February 2020 08:46 pm02

When God gave the Law to Israel through Moses, it served several purposes: it revealed God’s holy standard, exposed the sinfulness of humanity, and pointed to our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). The Law was not just a list of rules—it was a covenant, complete with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

Deuteronomy 28 clearly outlines these blessings and curses. If Israel obeyed the Lord’s commandments, they would enjoy prosperity, protection, and peace. But if they disobeyed, they would come under divine judgment—facing disease, defeat, exile, and ultimately separation from God.

These judgments for disobedience are what Scripture refers to as “the curse of the Law.” This curse is not limited to physical punishments; it ultimately represents eternal separation from God due to sin.

Deuteronomy 27:26 (NKJV):

 Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!‘

The Universal Problem of Sin

Here’s the problem: no one has ever perfectly kept God’s Law. We’ve all fallen short.

Romans 3:10–12, 23 (NKJV):

There is none righteous, no, not one;

There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.”

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Because the Law demands perfect obedience (James 2:10), even one offense makes a person guilty before God and liable to His judgment. That’s why the curse of the Law falls on all humanity—we are sinners by nature and by choice.

James 2:10 (NKJV):

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Christ Became a Curse in Our Place

But the gospel—the good news—is that Jesus Christ came to redeem us. Redemption means to “buy back” or “deliver by paying a price.” Christ redeemed us from the curse by becoming the very object of God’s wrath in our place.

On the cross, He bore our sins and the punishment we deserved.

Isaiah 53:5–6 (NKJV):

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matthew 5:17) and then took on the curse that we deserved, satisfying divine justice and offering us grace.

Freedom in Christ

Now, all who put their faith in Jesus are set free from condemnation and judgment. The Law can no longer accuse or condemn us, because Christ has fulfilled it on our behalf.

Romans 8:1–2 (NKJV):

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

This does not mean we are lawless—but rather, we now live under grace and walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh (Galatians 5:16–18).

The Urgency of Believing in Christ

Without Christ, a person remains under the curse of the Law—no matter how moral or religious they appear. You may say, “I don’t steal, I don’t lie,” but if there’s lust, hatred, or pride in your heart, you are still guilty before a holy God (Matthew 5:21–28).

The wages of sin is death—eternal separation from God.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV):

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What Must You Do?

Now that you understand the seriousness of sin and the beauty of redemption, what should you do?

Come to Jesus. Trust in His finished work on the cross. Receive Him as Lord and Savior. Only by faith in Christ can you be set free from the curse and counted righteous before God.

John 3:36 (NKJV):

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

A Final Word

Christ didn’t come to make you religious—He came to give you life. You don’t have to earn God’s favor through good works or trying harder. Jesus has already paid the price. Receive His gift today.

If you’d like help praying to receive Christ into your life, reach out to us using the numbers provided below—or click here for a simple prayer guide.

The Lord bless you.

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Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/02/10/understanding-the-curse-of-the-law/

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