Galatians – Chapter 3

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— ¹⁴so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14 – As I write this devotion it is Good Friday, and looking even at the time of day, historically it would have likely been just hours before Jesus was “hung on a tree.” In our chapter we learn that humanity is under a curse due to the Law. Not that the Law is cursed, but because we couldn’t keep it completely, we then are finding ourselves under the curse of punishment that came along with not keeping God’s law. Our sentence was death and death was to be our future, yet the beauty of why we celebrate this weekend took place. Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for us. Instead of making us pay the price of death that was the curse of not obeying the law, Jesus took our curse for us and died in our place. This also means that because of Jesus the blessing of Abraham, which is the wonderous blessing of being made right with God by faith, is now given to us instead. We once were cursed, yet now because of Jesus we are blessed. We once were sentenced to death, yet now because of Jesus we are granted eternal life. This is why today can be called good. Having Jesus betrayed, abused, mocked, crucified, and killed was not something we want to rejoice in, but the outcome of such a sacrifice of Jesus is what makes this day so good. Because of what He did we have a way to be with God for forever. Praise Jesus for the overwhelming, never-ending, sacrificial love that He displayed on our behalf. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3414

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Galatians 3:19 – This passage asks a big question, why have the law? What was the point of the law before Christ’s death and resurrection and now after? The law was placed to open our eyes to sin and the havoc it brings within our life with God. The law shows us that we aren’t able to make it to God on our own because of that sin. The law opens ours eyes to the fact we need a Savior. My encouragement to you is don’t get confused with all the rules you see in the law that Paul is speaking of. One because that promise was not meant for us because we have a new promise through Jesus, but also that law was just here to show the need for Jesus to come. The law never was meant to be a means of making us right, it was just a tool God used to open our eyes to the fact that we needed Him. Just remember following the rules doesn’t make you righteous, only faith in Jesus will do that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 533

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2 – Paul begins this chapter with a pointed question to address a way of belief that was plaguing the Galatian church. Something that was common in the early church, and even in the church of today, was this belief that obedience to the laws of God added to our salvation and was essential if we really wanted to be saved and given all that comes with salvation. Paul askes the people did they receive the Spirit (meaning the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins) by doing the works of the law or by having faith in Jesus? The rest of the chapter then Paul uses to show how an obedience to the law cannot, and never has been, our source of salvation. It’s only through the sacrifice of Jesus and our faith in Him that we are given the Spirit and find salvation. Today you may not have woken up believing that in order for you to be saved you must follow all the Jewish law like we see in our chapter, but maybe there has been a bent towards believing you have a part to play in your salvation. That if I don’t do everything right or say everything right then I’ll disappoint God and lose standing with Him. That if I don’t give or go to church or don’t serve or don’t ____, then somehow my relationship with God will change and I may even lose my salvation. Paul teaches here that this beautiful salvation we have isn’t at all based on our actions or deeds but solely given by Jesus through our faith in Him. Find comfort today knowing that the eternal life you desperately need is taken care of completely by the actions of Jesus and is not on you to earn. We are given the Spirit, set free from our sin debt, promised Heaven, and brought close to the Father by faith in Jesus alone. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2392