Galatians 3:9-14 (NKJV)
"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.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
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."
Those who were hung on a tree were cursed. This a reference is found in Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (NKJV) “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God."
Remember 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
The tree is the cross of Christ.
Christ became sin for us and is the "propitiation" for our sins. Christ is the atoning substitutionary sacrifice because remember what John the Baptist said of the Lord Jesus as He came to baptized by John in the river Jordan.
John 1:29 (NKJV)
(Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21, 22)
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
Remember that the Lord is our Passover from 1 Corinthians 5:7 which is a revelation of the type and shadow found in Exodus 12.
Therefore, Christ became a curse for us because He was hung on the cross. The cross is made of wood from a tree.
Now rehashing our Bible Study on "the just shall live by faith," there's a difference between being justified by the law and being justified by faith.
Paul tried to be justified by the law but understood that grace through faith in Christ for salvation came.
Philippians 3:1-9 (NKJV)
"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.
If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish,
that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith..."
The works of a Jew are works of justification by the law which is unable to save now that grace came through Christ. Remember what Paul said in Galatians......."But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
We don't do good works to get or earn salvation, we do good works to show our salvation and glorify God in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
There's none that's good.
Psalms 14:1 (NKJV) "The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good."
Even when Ezekiel tells us that the ones that observe to do good works, there's none who does good, but the Lord said "he shall live."
Again, the works of the law is temporary until Christ came.
This is further emphasized in the story of the rich young ruler.
Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV) "Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth.
What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."
The Lord Jesus said "No one is good but One, that is, God."
Paul said in Romans 3:10-11 (NKJV) As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
What did Paul mean by having confidence in the flesh?
Having his own righteousness which is from the law.
What does "justified" mean?
g1344. δικαιόω dikaioō; from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: — free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
What does it mean "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse?"
It means that when a person fails to observe to do the law, they're under the curse, and they will perish in hell.
In the NT (New Testament) Romans 6:23 comes to mind.
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This is found in Ezekiel 18 when the Lord said "The soul that sins, it shall die."
The Lord also said that the one that observes to do the law shall live.
This righteousness from the OT (Old Testament) is temporary until Christ came.
Paul said in Galatians 3:24 (KJV)
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
A perfect example of salvation before grace is the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31 which predated Christ.
Lazarus went to Abraham's bosom and the rich man went to the torment side of Hades.
Why?
Lazarus followed or observed to do the law and the rich man didn't.
Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJV) "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."
What's the blessing of Abraham?
The gift of grace and salvation that we receive by faith in Christ alone, and not by works of the law.
What's the promise of the Spirit through faith?
The promise of the Spirit is John 3:5 (NKJV)....
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
And a new heart and a new spirit according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new."
The religions of the world want to do something to earn salvation and the works of the flesh cannot earn salvation because of the condition of sinful man. Man is in sin and only Christ, Who lived a perfect life, can offer up His body as a sacrifice to pay the debt of sin.
Therefore the "just shall live by faith" is about placing your total faith on Christ alone for salvation and to attempt to do works to get saved isn't grace. It's works.
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