Galatians 3:10-14 – Faith or works

Here Paul was dealing with the issue of works versus faith - the two options that bring different results. One brings curse and the other brings justification. What does it mean “to be justified”? It simply means “to be in God’s favor.” This leads to a life of fellowship with God and that is eternal life. At the opposite end is condemnation and curse. And to be cursed is to be rejected by God.

Everyone who tries to work for God’s favor by observing the Law is living under a curse. Why? Because Deuteronomy 27:26 states that such a person must fulfil all the standards and demands set by the Law or be cursed. Since no one can ever perfectly fulfil the standards and demands of the Law in life, that person would be living under a curse. Furthermore, based on Habakkuk 2:4, righteousness or favor with God can only be attained by faith, and the works of the Law is not faith. 

Since the righteous shall live by faith, it is only through faith that a person receives God’s favor. And the way of faith presents Jesus Christ and what he had done for fallen humanity on the Cross. Paul quoted Deuteronomy 21:23 to support what he had said. And this quote must be seen in conjunction with the works of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that through the works that Jesus Christ had done on the Cross, we are redeemed and set free from the curse of the Law. His works guaranteed that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles as well. And the blessing of Abraham is favor with God. When favor with God is attained, believers would also receive the promise of the Spirit. 

God redeems us so that the promises He had made to Abraham might be fulfilled in us, whether we are a Jew or a Gentile. And the Holy Spirit we have received is not because we have kept the Law but simply because we put our faith in Christ Jesus. And because we have put our faith in Christ, we also have become true children of Abraham. We have become the evidence that God had kept His promise to Abraham, that through him shall all the nations be blessed.

Remember, we are on a journey of faith. Let’s emulate Abraham, the father of faith and stay faithful and trusting, as we relate to God through Christ Jesus our Lord.