Men of Faith Are Blessed
So
then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 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. Galatians 3:9,10.
Note
the sharp contrast in verses 9 and 10. "Those who are men of faith are
blessed," but "all who rely on works of the law are under a
curse." Faith brings the blessing. Works bring the curse, or, rather,
leave one under the curse. The curse is on all, for "he who does not
believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the
only Son of God." John 3:18. Faith removes the curse.
Who
are under the curse? "all who rely on works of the law." Note that
it does not say that those who do the law are under the curse, for that
would be a contradiction of Revelation 22:14: "Blessed are they that do
His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter
in through the gates into the city." "Blessed are those whose way
is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!" Psalm 119:1.
So,
then, they who are of faith are keepers of the law; for they who are of
faith are blessed, and those who do the commandments are blessed. By faith
they do the commandments. Since the gospel is contrary to human nature, we
become doers of the law not by doing but by believing.
If we
worked for righteousness, we would be exercising only our own sinful human
nature, and so would get no nearer to righteousness, but farther from it.
But by believing the "exceeding great and precious promises," we
become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4), and then
all our works are wrought in God.
"The
Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to
righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which
followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of
righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it
were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; as
it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offense:
and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." Romans 9:30-33.
The Glad Tidings, pp.
55, 56 |
