Sin leaves us in an awful predicament because it brings a curse.
We feel the curse of sin, even when we don’t recognize it. The near-constant death that surrounds us, not only of humans but of everything in nature, shows it. We also can feel it in the desire to be better people, to self-improve through rigid lifestyle changes. We see it, as well, when we fail at these self-improvement efforts.
Even as Christians saved by the grace of the gospel, we face the temptation to add a little law to God’s grace. We think that law-keeping earns us favor with God, so we try harder, add more rules, and even impose them on others. But the law contains nothing but more curses.
The only way to be righteous through the law is to keep it all. Once we fail, it offers us no resolution. All we have left is all the curses outlined in the law.
That’s why the gospel is glorious. It is the good news that Christ became a curse for us (even the curse of the law by hanging on a tree). It declares that God will count our faith as righteousness to us. And it frees us from the curse.
So, be free. Don’t run again to the slavery of the law. Find freedom from the law and its curse in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stop trying to better yourself by your own power; instead, live in all the strength that God provides. The freedom is there; believe it. Live by faith, and be blessed instead of cursed! –Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: BTH–Patrick of Ireland / Conclusion–Matthew 28:19–20
10AM: Pastor Nate–No Other Escape from the Curse–Galatians 3:10-14 (sermon notes)
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