The Curse Removed and Blessing Received
Galatians 3:13-14
Dave Frampton

Have you seen the new credit card statements? They provide a new area explaining how long it will take to pay off your debt if you pay only the minimum amount. It goes something like this: "If you make the minimum payment of X dollars, it will take you two or three lifetimes to pay off this amount."  At least I imagine that is what many debtors feel as they ponder those statements. But far worse is the actual case of those who try to earn righteousness through keeping the law. That debt payment plan is totally hopeless, as we saw last week (3:10-12). But there is better news to talk about today! Paul reiterates the happiness provided through the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ. Though the human condition is hopeless apart from Christ Jesus, in him we can look confidently at life, because he is the Redeemer-the One who sets people free. Today, let's consider the joy that God offers as a free gift in Jesus Christ.

Exposition:
I. The accomplishment of redemption (3:13) - Redemption is to set free by the payment of a ransom price. So then, as we think through this passage, we should think about freedom, especially in contrast to the bondage from which Christ sets people free.
        A. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
                1. The focus of our attention must be on the Lord Jesus Christ. Imagine a scene of utter darkness and desolate misery. You can feel the chill of endless despair filling your entire being. But suddenly, light and real hope appear! That light is the Lord Jesus.
                2. God invites you to celebrate the good news. Jesus the Son of God did what was impossible for people who had wronged to do. Paul is saying to his readers, "Look at Jesus! He is the Redeemer" (cf. Jn 1:29; Heb 12:1-2). This is what we want you to know. You may have refused to worship God; in fact you may have mocked God by your words and way of life. You may have rebelled against God and his will. You may have refused to love God, which is the first and greatest command. But God is merciful; he sent a Savior to rescue you from the consequences of your rebellion against God. So then, think about Jesus Christ now. How can he set people free from the curse that comes from not loving, believing and obeying God?
        B. Redemption was achieved by the means of substitution. Now we all know what substitution is: one person taking the place of another. Since "March Madness" is upon us, substitution will occur many times, when one basketball player goes in the game in the place of a teammate. I was a substitute teacher for ten years in New York State. I took the place of the regular teacher, having to act in the place of some frustrated or sick teacher, who desperately needed a day off.
                1. Here is the great exchange. Christ took our curse by dying on the cross, in order that we might receive his blessing (cf. 2 Cor 5:21). Notice the strength of Paul's statement: "by becoming a curse…." This magnifies what the Lord and Savior did.
                2. Here is love beyond our comprehension. The holy and righteous Lord died to rescue a cursed people. We were condemned forever unless he suffered for us. Can you imagine someone whose family members suffered because of a terrorist act volunteering to die in place of the condemned terrorist who caused the suffering? No, I can't either. But even more I can't fully comprehend how Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, wanted to die to rescue people like us (Eph 3:16-19).
        C. Redemption was achieved in fulfillment of the law. Observe how Paul insisted on proving his teaching from the Scriptures.
                1. Whatever Jesus did, he did to please God the Father by perfectly fulfilling and completing the law (Mt 5:17-18; cf. Is 42:21).
                2. Therefore, since the law covenant pronounced a curse on those who violated it, the Lord Jesus died under its curse, in order that we might not be cursed. All that the law required, Jesus fulfilled.

II. The purpose of redemption (3:14)
        A. God wanted to give the Gentiles Abraham's blessing.
                1. This blessing was the same one that Abraham received, which as we have already seen is justification by faith. The blessing is that God's declares people right with him who trust in him.
                2. Here we see the scope of God's mission. He wants all people everywhere to believe in him, regardless of ethnic differences.
                3. The source of this blessing is faith in Christ Jesus. It is based on what he did (Eph 2:11ff). Though the law the nations were separated from God's people. But since God gives his blessings through faith in Christ, all people everywhere are included and may rejoice in the Lord Jesus when each one believes in him.
        B. God wanted all his people to receive the promised Holy Spirit. God the Father had an incomparable blessing to give to his people. Jesus God the Son also wanted his followers to know about this gift. The great gift is the Holy Spirit constantly living in all those who believe in Jesus.
                1. This promise what made in the Old Testament Scriptures (Is 44:3; Ezk 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-29) and confirmed by Jesus (Jn 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26; 16:7).
                2. The promise is received when a person turns from sin and trusts in Christ. As soon as Christ saves you, he also gives you the Spirit of God. No additional experience is needed. The all-powerful Redeemer, who accomplished a full redemption, gives the all-powerful Spirit, who gives life, joy, assurance, and experience of the presence of the Lord.
        C. Let us think more about the action of the Spirit of the Lord last mentioned. The Holy Spirit mediates the presence of the Ascended Jesus to his people. As he does this, three experiences keep happening (cf. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit, p. 49):
                1. Personal fellowship with Jesus - We are able to share life and mission with the exalted Jesus. He is with us as we live as his ambassadors in the world. He comforts and strengthens us.
                2. Personal transformation of character into Jesus' likeness - We become more like Christ in thoughts, words, and actions as we learn and follow him by the Spirit's leadership.
                3. The certainty of being loved, redeemed, and adopted through Christ into the Father's family - the Spirit gives us assurance of the accomplishment of redemption by our Lord and Savior.

Apply: Has Christ set you free?

Apply: How is your experience of the Spirit's mediation of Christ's presence?