“Paul says to live in the law brings a curse on us (Gal 3:10).”
This is not so, my brother. If you read Deuteronomy (the word of God) and the Gospels (the word of Christ) you will find that it’s not living in the law that brings the curse. It’s the LIVING IN DISOBEDIENCE to the Law of God that brings the CURSE. OBEDIENCE to the Law of God BRINGS BLESSING and keep us in favor with God. This is evident in the word of God. That’s why it is important to diligently read the old Testament and the Gospels with the heart ready to obey before you read the epistles of Paul. If you read the Old Testament, even the Gospel with Paul’s letter as your ground you’re likely to fall off. You will not fully understand apostle Paul’s letter until you are grounded in the Old Testament and the Gospels. Apostle Peter warns us in 2 Peter 3:16-18,
“As also in all his (Paul’s) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee in the Judaism religion. He was grounded in the Law mixed with the Talmud (traditions of the elders which are human-made laws) and this is what Paul was against, the traditions of the elders which they added to the Law of God. The same traditions which Jesus Christ spoke against when He rebuked the religious leaders (Mark 7:3-13):
“3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, bronze vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not your disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such things you do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever curses father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But you say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift devoted to God, whatsoever you might have received from me; he shall be free. 12 And you allow him no more to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such things do you.”
To remain as God’s people we have to be faithfullly obedient to His Word and we are to test everything that comes to us by His Word.
Father… Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth. As you have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:17-19)
Even apostle Paul himself exhorts the believers (1 Thessalonians 5:21-23),
“Test all things; hold fast that which is good… And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
May God bless you in your study of His word, brother. Amen.
