‘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”),’ Galatians 3:13 (NKJV)
What is the law?
The Law, also known as the Law of Moses or the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), contains over 600 commandments, primarily found in Exodus through Deuteronomy. Although referred to as Moses’ law, it is God’s law given through Moses. Its foundation is the Ten Commandments. It is categorized into Moral laws (reflecting God’s character, e.g., Ten Commandments), Civil laws (governing daily life and justice), and Ceremonial laws (concerning worship, rituals, and cleanliness). It is described in Scripture as perfect, eternal, and unchanging, reflecting God’s holiness (Psalm 19, Psalm 119). Want to learn more about the Law of Moses? Explore this detailed article: What is the Law of Moses?
The purpose of the law
‘What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.’ Galatians 3:19-25 (NKJV)
The law was introduced as a guide for man until the coming of Christ. It was given to point men to Jesus Christ by revealing to men their sin and sinful nature (Romans 3:20) so that through Jesus Christ we can be made righteous. The law was given to show us our need for salvation. Initially, righteousness was a result of observing the law. However, it was hard to be in the right standing before God as you had to observe the WHOLE LAW, all 600+ commandments. That was a tedious task. The law then was given to reveal that our right standing before God could not be achieved by our works or in the flesh, no matter how much they tried, but through Christ, our mediator. After the coming of Jesus Christ, there was no need for the law, because His coming has fulfilled the law. All it’s demands were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The curse of the law
‘ But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you:’ Deuteronomy 28:15 (AMPC)
The curse of the law resulted from not living up to everything the law says, that is, following the law in partiality. Any deviation from anything written in the book of the law was cursed. Galatians 3:10 tells us that ‘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.” ‘
In Galatians 5:2-4 (NLT) Paul says to the Galatians, ‘Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. ‘
Redeemed from the curse of the law
Jesus upheld and fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17), and with His coming, the Law’s purpose was completed. Believers now live under the New Covenant, serving God through the Spirit, not by the letter of the old code (Romans 7:6; 4). He came to fulfill the law by becoming the access to God we need. Because not observing the law to a tee was impossible for man to maintain, Jesus came to reveal a better way, the way of grace and faith. Now what Christ came to do, was to die for our sins and become our mediator before God, so that any wrongdoing does not place a curse on us. He became the curse on behalf of all men so that we could have access to the blessing of Abraham. That is the redemption we have received. We are no longer under the law but under grace.
Here is the good news, in this dispensation under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus, obedience to the law does not mean anything to God (Galatians 5:6). We have been redeemed from the curse of the law. Our right standing before God is not because of what we do or do not do, but what Christ has done. This is why even a “good” man or woman can still go to hell. Our righteousness is of Christ who has redeemed us from the curse of the law. We are not saved by works but by grace and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘ [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,’ Romans 3:24 (AMPC)
Therefore if you find yourself relying on observing the law like the Sabbath for example, you are still under the curse. Because you cannot be both under the law and the grace of God. The Bible tells us in Galatians 3:11 that no one is justified before God by the law. The righteous (those in right standing with, those whom Christ has made righteous in the sight of God) have been made that way through faith in Him. If then you are led by the Spirit, you are no longer under the law Galatians 5:18. When you receive the Spirit of God through faith in Christ, you are free from the desires of sinful nature. Your life is led by the Holy Spirit and no longer by observing the law or works. Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe in Romans 3:22.
The summation of the law under the new covenant
If then Jesus came to fulfill the law what does this look like in the new covenant? The fulfillment of the law under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus is love. Romans 13:8-9 says the one who loves has fulfilled the whole law. ‘Don’t owe anything to anyone, except your outstanding debt to continually love one another, for the one who learns to love has fulfilled every requirement of the law. For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” and every other commandment can be summed up in these words: “Love and value others the same way you love and value yourself.” ‘
God presented Jesus Christ as a sacrifice of atonement (Romans 3:25). This was a sign of His love. ‘“And just as Moses in the desert lifted up the brass replica of a venomous snake on a pole for all the people to see and be healed, so the Son of Man is ready to be lifted up, so that those who truly believe in him will not perish but be given eternal life. For here is the way God loved the world—he gave his only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.’ John 3:14-16 (TPT)
Jesus is telling us that the entire law hinges upon LOVE. Everything that God gave the Israelites hinged on love for God and love for others. Paul echoes this in Galatians 5:14 ‘For all the law can be summarized in one grand statement: “Demonstrate love to your neighbor, even as you care for and love yourself.” ‘
‘When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they called a meeting to discuss how to trap Jesus. Then one of them, a religious scholar, posed this question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’ Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.”’ Matthew 22:34-40 (TPT).
Now that you understand this, do not be involved in unedifying and unnecessary arguments about the commandments. Live a life under the grace of God having faith in Jesus Christ and what His death and ascension means. You have been redeemed from the curse of the law, and you are free indeed (John 8:36).
