Breaking the Bastard Curse – Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Redeemed From The Curse

      At this point, we will read the Scripture that is so commonly referenced on the subject of “can a Christian be cursed?.” First we will look at it out of context, as many Christians do. Then we will look at it in its context, exactly as it is written.

Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The out of context view of this verse makes a presumption that no born again Christian can ever be cursed because Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross automatically eliminated curses from Christian experience. Oh really?

Now, let’s look at this verse, setting it in its context. First of all in Galatians 3:1, Paul asks a question. He asks, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth?” Paul is writing to believers. Galatians 1:1-3 shows this clearly.

Galatians 3:1-2
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Even today, we receive the Spirit by faith.

Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Law equals works. Faith equals Spirit and miracles.

Galatians 3:4-5
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Many people who say that a Christian cannot be cursed because they have faith, never prove their faith with miracles. In Acts 2:22, the Scripture declares that God approved Jesus Christ’s ministry with signs, miracles, and wonders.¹⁴ God hasn’t changed. He still approves genuine ministries with signs, miracles, and wonders.

Galatians 3:6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Flesh gives self-righteousness; Faith gives God-righteousness.

Galatians 3:7
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

The distinguishing characteristic of children of Abraham is that they have the kind of faith that results in signs, miracles, and wonders.

Galatians 3:8

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Faith equals God’s justifying, which means to make righteous.

Galatians 3:9
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Those who are of faith, not merely associated by birth as the Pharisees believed, are the ones who have the blessings of Abraham. Verse 16 declares that the promises of God were made to the seed of Abraham, which is Christ, and to all those who have faith in Christ, like Abraham had faith.¹⁵ One of the many powerful promises of God to Abraham, which believers with faith today can also rightfully receive, is the blessing noted in Genesis 12:3

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Notice this verse mentions both blessings and curses. We are entitled, as heirs of faithful Abraham, to have both of these two parts by faith. Thus we have the blessing that those who bless us will be blessed. And we have the promise that those who curse us will be cursed.

It is not up to us to curse others, or take vengeance. The New Testament clearly teaches that we are to bless those who curse us, and even pray for those who despitefully use us.¹⁶ If we are not sure if someone has blessed us or cursed us, or if we are unsure how to deal with a negative situation in which someone has cursed us, we can rely on God’s promise in this verse. Believing and speaking the promise of Genesis 12:3 makes it much easier for us to forgive and allow God to deal with the situation.

Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

To stay out from under the curse of the law requires faith. Faith proves itself with results. Unbelief proves itself with problems, problems, problems. And when we walk away from faith, and thereby become subject to the law, we cannot do all the law that is required! No man has done this ever, except Jesus.

Galatians 3:11
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

This verse speaks for itself. If you want to take something out of context, try this verse!

Galatians 3:12
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

This verse says “them,” plural. We have only two choices: to live under the law and unbelief, or live in faith and have God’s promises come to pass, just as He said they will.
And now, verse thirteen in context:

Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Now lets continue!

Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The promise of the Spirit is through faith, through Jesus Christ. We receive blessings by faith. We receive curses under the law, when we live in unbelief.

Galatians 3:15
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Is it possible when we take verse 13 out of its context, that we become guilty of disannulling or adding thereto?

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Under the law we cannot please God because we cannot have God’s blessings. But by faith, God’s promises become reality as we walk forward with Him.

Mark 16:15-19

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Jesus declared in Mark 16:15-18 that the person that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Believing is what we do with our faith. He that does not believe shall be damned. Verses 17 and 18 say that signs shall follow those that believe. If we are not seeing signs, miracles and wonders as part of our faith walk, then we are not of faith. If we are not of faith, Galatians says that we are under the law. If we are operating under the law, then Galatians also states that we are cursed. Hello? Why should we try to make excuses? Let’s get rid of our curses and grow in faith, so that Jesus’ Great Commission can be fulfilled in our lives!

We are not trying to upset or discourage the level of faith people have. We are simply endeavoring to encourage and challenge one another to grow in the faith that has already been planted within us when we confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

¹⁴Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

¹⁵Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

¹⁶Luke 6:28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Chapter 6 – Understanding the Curse of the Bastard

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