"Justified by Faith, Crucified with Christ, Redeemed from the Curse" (Sermon on Galatians 2-3)

“Justified by Faith, Crucified with Christ, Redeemed from the Curse” (Galatians 2:15-21; 3:10-14)

Today we continue with the third in our six-part sermon series on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. We began by looking at Paul’s opening assertion that there is “No Other Gospel” than the one he preached to them, yet the Galatians lately have been falling for a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Then last week we found out more about “The Gospel Paul Preached,” that it comes from God, not from man, that it is a gospel of grace, and that this gospel changes lives.

Now today Paul takes us further into the changed situation in which we Christians live. In our text, Paul describes this changed reality in three ways: 1) We are justified by faith. 2) We have been crucified with Christ. And 3) We are redeemed from the curse. So now, let’s consider these three wonderful realities for us to rejoice in. Because of the gospel, we are “Justified by Faith, Crucified with Christ, Redeemed from the Curse.”

First, we are justified by faith. Paul writes: “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.”

“Justified”: This is not talking about how we line up the margins of our paragraphs on the page--although that image does give us the idea of having things being straight up and down. You see, how do we get things “straight up and down” between us and God? But that’s what needs to happen if we’re going to be “justified.”

The term “justified” actually is a legal term. It has to do with “justice.” The image here is that of a courtroom setting. Somebody is on trial--you are. You’ve been accused of breaking the law--God’s law. The evidence is brought forward. It doesn’t look so good. Here’s what the law says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all soul and with all your strength.” And here’s what your record shows: You haven’t done this. Your love for God has been half-hearted at best. Pretty weak, in fact. Here’s what the law says: “You shall have no other gods.” Here’s what your record shows: You have been putting other things ahead of God--whether they are things like money or family or pleasure or success or what have you--you have been fearing, loving, and trusting in many things other than the Lord your God. It shows up in how you fail to give due honor to the name of the Lord. It shows up in your negligence to gladly hear and learn and apply the word of God.

Then there is the other half of God’s law, which says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But here’s what your record shows: You haven’t honored those whom God has placed in authority over you as you ought. The “Honor your father” commandment is not limited to Father’s Day, you know, and it extends to other God-given authorities beyond your physical father. The record also shows that you have had hateful, harmful thoughts toward your neighbor. You have not helped him as you should. You have not honored God’s institution of marriage as well as you should. All your lustful thoughts are brought forward as evidence. You have hurt your neighbor’s reputation with your tongue, gossiping behind his back. Then there is the envy and covetousness you have in your heart for your neighbor’s possessions. You may hide it from men, but you can’t hide it from God.

No, the evidence is overwhelming, and it is fairly damning. In God’s courtroom, under the law, you and I are guilty as charged. No plea bargain is possible. The penalty is death. And justice must be served. The judge can’t just waive the charges, or wave them off, because he’s an old softie. The judge cannot reduce the sentence or suspend it because of your supposed “good behavior.” No, then the judge, God, would not be just. The law demands that the penalty must be paid.

So how are we ever going to get out of this alive? The evidence is undeniable. The law is unchangeable. The punishment, unavoidable. How can we hope to be justified, that is, declared not guilty, in this kind of a courtroom? Here’s how: The law does get fulfilled, the keeping of it. The law gets fulfilled, the punishment for breaking it. And the one who does this, both of these things, is Christ Jesus, our perfect substitute, who does them in our place.

It is not our works of the law, but his works, Christ’s works, that satisfy God’s law and maintain his justice. Christ fulfilled the demands of the law on our behalf. He always did the right thing, without fail. He alone is the one righteous man. Likewise, Christ fulfilled the law in terms of the punishment called for. He suffered death, the big death under God’s judgment--again, on our behalf, in our place. And because he is the very Son of God, Christ’s perfect righteousness is sufficient to cover our lack of righteousness. And the death he died is powerful enough to satisfy God’s justice. The law is fulfilled, we are acquitted, and God still is being a just judge when he declares us not guilty. That’s justification.

This all then is received by faith. We are justified by faith. That means trusting in Jesus’ works, not our own, in order to be put right with God. And it’s not that “faith” is any sort of good work that we do to merit our salvation. No, that’s not it at all. Our faith saves us, not because it is “our faith,” as though we’re doing some heroic act of believing that outweighs our sins. But rather, our faith saves us because it is faith in Christ. This saving faith has value solely because of its object, namely, Jesus Christ. Don’t attribute anything in your justification to you, to the things you do or to some quality in you. You and I are justified by faith because it is faith in Christ. And even this faith that we have--even that is a gift from God. It is faith, trust, worked by the Holy Spirit, through the means of grace, the gospel in Word and Sacrament. All the glory goes to God.

So that’s the first way St. Paul describes our changed situation, namely, that we are justified by faith. Secondly, Paul says that you and I have been crucified with Christ. He writes: “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Paul here is talking about how his life has been changed because of the gift of faith he has received. He doesn’t live the same way he used to. And, guess what, neither do we. We no longer live thinking that we can justify ourselves before God by our own keeping of the law, as though somehow I was a good enough person that I could earn God’s favor. No, my old sinful nature prevents that from happening. I always would mess up and fall short, if judged by the standard of the law. The law would always condemn me to death and hell.

But something happened to change all that. I have been crucified with Christ. He took all my sins, all my unrighteousness, and he was nailed to the cross with that sin and for it. And because I have been baptized into union with Christ, baptized into his death, therefore I have been crucified with Christ. My old sinful nature was buried with him in baptism, and, just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too I have been raised up with him into newness of life. I’ve been joined to Jesus. So now each one of us baptized Christians can say with Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

How will this play out in your life this week? There will be times when your old sinful nature will be beckoning you to return to the ways of the world, to give in to temptation, to follow the desires of your flesh which war against the ways of the Spirit. These are the times to say no, to confess the truth of the new reality that is yours as God’s baptized child: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Yes, God has a better way for you and me to live. Lord, help us to live it.

We are justified by faith. We have been crucified with Christ. Then third, we are redeemed from the curse. Paul writes: “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: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’. . . .”

It’s a heavy thing to be under a curse. The curse of the law fell upon us when we sinned, when we disobeyed God’s commandment. From our first parents’ fall into sin until now we have been laboring under that curse. Things don’t work right. Creation is all messed up, groaning in futility. Floods and tornados wipe out homes and fields. Crops fail. Mothers experience pain in childbirth. Work becomes toilsome and difficult. Conflict and blame divide people who ought to love one another. Families become dysfunctional. Disease and death intrude and invade our lives. “Dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” This is the curse, that things tend to get worse, and then you die.

But Christ has redeemed us from the curse. What did it? The cross. The cross of Christ reversed the curse. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” He bundled up all our sin and took it into himself, into his crucified body hanging on that tree. In this way we are redeemed, released, and set free.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse. We’re out from under. He’s taken that load off our backs. “Come unto me,” he says, “all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The sword of Damocles dangling over our heads--it’s not there anymore. The heavens are open, and there’s bright sky overhead. Eternal life, not death and damnation--eternal life awaits us. We’ve been redeemed from the curse and brought into blessing.

Dear friends, today St. Paul has unfolded for the Galatians--and for us--the changed situation, the changed reality, that Christ has brought us into. First, we are justified by faith. God declares us not guilty in his heavenly courtroom, because Christ Jesus has fulfilled the law in our stead. Second, we have been crucified with Christ. The old man of sin has died and was buried in baptism, and now the new man, joined to Jesus and alive to God--the new person you are in Christ arises to newness of life. And third, we are redeemed from the curse of the law, the curse of death, and brought into the blessing of life everlasting. “Justified by Faith, Crucified with Christ, Redeemed from the Curse”: This is our changed situation, our new reality, and it is something to rejoice in.

Galatians 2:15-21; 3:10-14 (ESV)

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 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.

But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. . . .

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.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”--so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

“Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
How His right arm the victory won;
Right dearly it hath cost Him.

2. Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay,
Death brooded darkly o'er me,
Sin was my torment night and day,
In sin my mother bore me;
Yea, deep and deeper still I fell,
Life had become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.

3. My own good works availed me naught,
No merit they attaining;
Free will against God's judgment fought,
Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left naught but death to be my share;
The pangs of hell I suffered.

4. But God beheld my wretched state
Before the world's foundation,
And, mindful of His mercies great,
He planned my soul's salvation.
A father's heart He turned to me,
Sought my redemption fervently:
He gave His dearest Treasure.

5. He spoke to His beloved Son:
‘Tis time to have compassion.
Then go, bright Jewel of My crown,
And bring to man salvation;
From sin and sorrow set him free,
Slay bitter death for him that he
May live with Thee forever.

6. This Son obeyed His Father's will,
Was born of virgin mother,
And God's good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my Brother.
No garb of pomp or power He wore,
A servant's form, like mine, He bore,
To lead the devil captive.

7.To me He spake: Hold fast to Me,
I am thy Rock and Castle;
Thy Ransom I Myself will be,
For thee I strive and wrestle;
For I am with thee, I am thine,
And evermore thou shalt be Mine;
The Foe shall not divide us.

8. The Foe shall shed My precious blood,
Me of My life bereaving.
All this I suffer for thy good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life shall from death the victory win,
My innocence shall bear thy sin;
So art thou blest forever.

9. Now to My Father I depart,
The Holy Spirit sending
And, heavenly wisdom to impart,
My help to thee extending.
He shall in trouble comfort thee,
Teach thee to know and follow Me,
And in all truth shall guide thee.

10. What I have done and taught, teach thou,
My ways forsake thou never;
So shall My kingdom flourish now
And God be praised forever.
Take heed lest men with base alloy
The heavenly treasure should destroy;
This counsel I bequeath thee.

Hymn 387
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Rom. 3: 28
Author: Martin Luther, 1523
Translated by: Richard Massie, 1854, alt.
Titled: “Nun freut euch, liebe Christen g’mein”
Tune: “Nun freut euch”
1st Published in: Etlich’ christliche Lieder
Town: Wittenberg, 1524

Yes, the law preachers and teachers continue to gnaw on that bone of James 2:24 without reading the whole book of James in proper context.
Let Bible interpret the Bible and as the other person who posted is correct you can't build a whole theology on one verse.
In case you selectively left it out James in that chapter talks about someone who comes and is hungry and all the believer does is tell them that God will supply and bless them without offering to help themselves.
James also talks in that chapter about sin of respecting the rich people giving them the best place to sit but telling the poor people to sit under a chair.
In this chapter James is talking about putting you faith into action as in putting your money where you mouth is.
If you say you love the poor and love people but yet ?
You fail to help someone who is poor or hungry ?
Your faith is fake, that work you talk about ?
That's what James is talking about here.
Putting your money where your mouth is.
In chapter one James talks mostly about the testing of our works... opps... is says ? FAITH... not works..

James chapter one: this verse leads from chapter one into chapter two.... 27. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

In that very same chapter that the law preachers and teachers, and Arminians love to quote, they love to leave out this.
This is the context of that chapter.. chapter 2.

James chapter 2 :

1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Well, well, lookie here, same chapter that the law preachers and teachers, and Arminians love to quote.... lookie here... James says him self : " 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. "

WOW !
A amazing revelation.

Seems to contradict the law preachers and teachers and Arminians arguement..
but yet ?
It's the same chapter as they love to quote:

" a man is justified by works and not by faith alone "

Wow... !

What a amazing contradiction !

James says in this very same chapter, that who so ever keeps the law ? must keep ALL of the law... and if they break one part of it ? they break ALL of it. ( yes, I know, not in his exact words.... )

So FatherofFive ?

May I ask you ?

Have you kept the law perfectly ?

Are you as perfect as Christ the Lord ?

The case that James is making is ?

If you say in your faith you love poor people ? or respect the rich over the poor ? but yet ? you tell them " God bless you and be comforted ? "

But yet ? won't help them ? where's your faith ?

It must be backed up with so action .. i.e. working faith.
James is basically saying " put your money where you mouth is " ...... because words are cheap..

Jesus Christ the Lord's very own words...

Matthew 5:20:

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

He was setting the bar very high.
None of us could keep it even if you did keep the law, well, most of it.
This is God's standard of ever getting into the Kingdom of God.
The problem is ?
None of us can nor ever meet that standard no matter how much we try to keep the law..

Another thing that is a problem ?

Even if you do do works and keep the law.

SIN must be paid for, for the soul that sins must die.
A blood atonement is needed, by perfect untainted blood.

The only one, the chosen one, the anointed one, was Jesus Christ who could have or ever fulfill all of these requirements.

If you could save yourself ? you have no need of a Savior.

You can't ever justify yourself before God by keeping the law, never, for that's pride.
Pride is sin.
That's how God see's it when someone tries to justify themselves before him without Jesus Christ's atonement, Pride..... God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Yes, I do believe that James himself wrote that in that very same book 2 chapters later.
Yeah, here it is...

James chapter 4 verse 6:

But he gives more grace. Therefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.

I am no longer a slave to sin but I am by mercy, grace & hope of eternity living in service to Christ, my Savior, responding to my Comforter’s leading because the Love of my Heavenly Father offers me all I need.

Works, as you would call it, from my perspective is actually my expression of love to God who has made a place in eternity for me and has a plan for me while I walk the narrow path here on earth.

Works as James refers to it, would seem to be a directional. A place to start my life in Christ which after having established my intimate relationship with the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit that I am only able to have because He first loved me, I recognize works is not works at all. It is service to my King, it is obedience to my Heavenly Father, it is recognizing the voice of my Shepherd, it is loving Him and wanting to express that love through knowing & following Him.

I often feel like my works are as a dandelion I have picked and offered as a gift to the One who created the seasons. Gratefully, He sees my heart & the love my gift represents.

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