Cursed are those who rely on works of the law

Galatians 3:10

• “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.””

We need to watch out for two false tendencies we may be inclined to follow in our Christian walk. These are legalism and antinomianism.

Through legalism, we may falsely believe, we’ll only be saved if we follow the law of God really well.

Through legalism, we may falsely believe that by doing good works and avoiding and not doing any bad, evil works, we hope and think that God would somehow judge my good works against my bad, evil works, and decide to let me in to the heaven, because of the fact that I did more good works than bad, evil works and my heart was sincere in doing these good works as opposed to doing many bad, evil works.

This is legalism. Legalism cannot save us. Only FAITH in Jesus can.

On the other hand, we may falsely believe that since good works cannot save us and we have been freed from the law by death of Jesus on the cross, we may become careless about what we think, say and do everyday.

We may falsely believe, through antinomianism, carelessly think, say and do evils things, believing that good works cannot save us anyway.

This is antinomianism which proves that we are not following the desires of the Holy Spirit but rather following the desires of the flesh. And Galatians 5:21 states,

• “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

There is a danger of believing that as long as I believe in Jesus, doing the works of the flesh listed above is not serious. However, it is, in fact, a very serious matter. If you do these things, the Bible is very clear about what happens to you. If you do these things, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. Instead, you will face the judgment of God and consequently, damnation.

It is important to remember that we are not saved, by God, by not doing those things listed above.

Galatians 3:10 “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.””
But rather, Galatians 3:11 says, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.””

Galatians 2:16

• “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.“

Throw away legalism and antinomianism.

The righteous shall live by faith.