Under the Curse or Under the Blessing

Under the Curse or Under the Blessing

“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’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Gal. 3:13-14.

This is a powerful message to bring to people. Yet who rejoices when he hears it? How does a person see himself when he feels a need to be redeemed from the curse? He has to see himself as being cursed. Only very few people have truly come to that acknowledgment. In order to come to that, a person has to be serious about doing the good—about keeping the law. Superficial people will never come to it.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’” V. 10. Only those who do the good find that evil is present with them. Rom. 7:21. They will soon come to the acknowledgment that they are thoroughly corrupt. Jesus says to such people, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

However, there were not many people who wanted to come to Him. They would not acknowledge that they were corrupt and that they were under the curse. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Rom. 10:3.

“You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you did not become weak.” Isa. 57:10.

This is also the state of affairs of many believers in our days. They have not come to the point of seeing themselves, of seeing their own corruption. They continue to strive under the law. Of course they don’t think of the Law of Moses, but they constantly argue about what is sin and what is not sin, all the while striving and endeavoring to do something for God. They are attempting to establish their own righteousness so they can have the feeling of being a Christian. They seek the testimony of men, are offended, and justify themselves. They grow tired, but they find new strength in their hand; therefore they never come to the point of being crucified with Christ, so that the Spirit which has been promised can guide them and give them grace not to fulfill the desires of the flesh. Gal. 5:16.

Being a curse is a great disgrace. It was His reproach that hung on a tree. Have you gone out to Him and entered into rest, or are you going to stay in the camp and compete with the others in being considered capable and wise, living a lavish lifestyle, being esteemed and highly regarded??? Then you will also feel that you are under the law, that you are not as honest as you make yourself out to be, and that your love does not measure up to the love that you so eloquently speak about.

“But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Gal. 3:25. This is true, for then we have come under the blessing of Abraham. There is sufficient grace to be had if you have come to faith in your own corruption so that you hate your own life. Then it will not be difficult for you to forsake your own wisdom, your self-righteousness, your vanity and conceit, so that the Spirit can lead and guide you into all truth. John 16:13-14.

“The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19.

This was Jesus’ mind, He who became a curse for us in order to redeem us. Can you also acknowledge that you cannot do anything of yourself? If you can, then He has redeemed you from the curse and the accusation that was brought against you because of your corruption. Then you will receive the blessing of the Spirit as a help and for salvation instead of being under the requirements of the law and under the curse. Then when faith has come, it will not be difficult for you to come to the place together with Paul who had this attitude: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

This is when the death of Christ affects my ego—my human nature. By bearing the fruit of the Spirit, the power and the working of the Spirit will be manifested in the life I live in the flesh. Gal. 5:22-23. “Against such there is no law.” Only they can be one as the Father and the Son are one. It was on the cross that Jesus put to death the enmity and created the two into one new man. Eph. 2:15-16. Therefore Paul did not want to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 6:14. Then you will come under Abraham’s blessing; something new is being created, resulting in life and development.