Galatians 3:13-14

'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.'

Isn't that the most beautiful verse? Christ sure loves us a lot. I have recently taken classes at our church called Foundations in the Faith. We watch a video of R. C. Sproul teaching on a certain subject, and then we discuss it. It was very good. He's teaching on things from the book Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem. (That is actually a shortened version of the book Systematic Theology by Dr. Grudem.) But the reason I'm telling you all of this, is that, in one of the sessions we talked about the covenants. The first covenanant was a covenant of works. First, Adam and Eve blew it, right? The did exactly the opposite of what God had told them. Then God gave the Israelites a chance: if they kept ALL of God's laws, IN THEIR HEARTS as well as in their minds, then they would live. But OBVIOUSLY no sinful human can do that! I mean, we've all had those days when we decide not to sin. How long do we go without sinning in our hearts? 2 seconds? See, it's just not possible because we by nature hate God and don't want to follow his commands. But God wasn't finished with us. He sent His own Son to earth to become a man. We all know he paid for our sins on the cross, right? I mean, that's what we've always been told. But there's more: Not only did he become a CURSE for us (that's right, He really did, He took ALL of OUR SINS on Himself!!), but he fulfilled the covenant! He was perfect. So when He took all our sins and suffered God's wrath on the cross, our punishment was taken. But now, when He changes out hearts to WANT to love Him and obey Him, and we trust in Him, God looks at Christ's righteousness and not at our sin, because Christ took our sin and gave us His righteousness! Now that's what I call amazing.

~Lucy~