Galatians 3 Devotional

Redeemed from the Curse

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.””Galatians 3:13 (BSB)

Paul asks the Galatians whether they received the Spirit by keeping the law or by believing what they heard (3:2). Having begun by the Spirit, do they now think they can finish by their own effort (3:3)? He points them to Abraham, who believed God and was counted righteous, whose true children are those who believe (3:6-9).

The law cannot bless. It pronounces a curse on everyone who fails to keep all of it, and no one is justified by it (3:10-11). Christ did what the law could not. He redeemed his people from the law's curse by becoming a curse in their place, hanging on a tree, so that Abraham's blessing would reach the nations and believers would receive the promised Spirit through faith (3:13-14). The law, not opposed to God's promises, served as a guardian until Christ came (3:21-24). Now all who belong to him are one in him and heirs of the promise (3:28-29). The Christian life is finished as it began, by trusting what Christ has done.

To think about: In what area of your life are you trying to finish by your own effort what God began by his Spirit?