DCLM Daily Manna

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Curse And Cure

KEY VERSE
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).

Bible Reading:
Galatians 3:12-14 (KJV)

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

MESSAGE

Here is how Albert Barnes (1798-1870), an American theologian, explains justification: “What is justification? It is the declared purpose of God to regard and treat those sinners who believe in Jesus Christ as if they had not sinned, on the ground of the merits of the Saviour. It is not a mere pardon. Pardon is a free forgiveness of past offenses. It has reference to those sins as forgiven and blotted out. Justification has respect to the law, and to God’s future dealings with the sinner. It is an act by which God determines to treat him hereafter as righteous – as if he had not sinned. The basis for this is the merit of the Lord Jesus Christ, a merit that we can plead as if it were our own. He has taken our place and died in our stead; He has met the descending stroke of justice, which would have fallen on our own heads if He had not interposed.”

This justification was Paul’s focus in today’s text. The Apostle aimed to convince the Galatian Christians that they are justified by faith, not by the works of the law. Some of these believers had been swayed by false teachings, leading them away from the faith of the gospel. Paul used various arguments to prove that believers are justified by faith, and that despite the threats of the law, they can be freed from its curse by Christ’s bearing the curse for them. The law and faith do not mix, as the law is about “doing,” while faith is about “done.” Neither the Jews nor the Gentiles can meet the law’s demand. Those who rely on the law remain under the curse from which Christ came to set us free.

Christ paid the price for our sins. He was made “to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” By putting their faith in His finished redemptive work, believers become justified. They depend no longer on the “works of the law” works done without faith and grace, but through fear or temporal gratification. Believers do “works of faith” – done in the spirit of liberty, borne out of love for God.

Being set free from the curse of the law, we must live by faith and shun every tendency to relapse into any form of legalism.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is perilous foolishness to shun the finished work of Christ

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Revelation 1-3

COMMENTARY

1. The Curse of the Law – The law demands perfect obedience, and failure brings a curse. No one can keep the law perfectly; therefore, all are under the curse. The law was never meant to save; it was meant to show us our need for a Saviour. Those who rely on the law for justification remain under its curse.

2. Christ Became a Curse for Us – Jesus took our place and bore the curse of the law on the cross. He was made sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). His death was the cure for the curse. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed and set free.

3. Justification by Faith – Justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not based on our works but on the finished work of Christ. We are treated as if we had never sinned because Christ took our place. This is the heart of the gospel.

4. The Difference Between Law and Faith – The law is about “doing”; faith is about “done.” The law demands; faith receives. The law brings bondage; faith brings liberty. Believers are not under the law but under grace. We do good works not to be saved but because we are saved.

5. The DCLM Ministry’s Emphasis on Grace – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes salvation by grace through faith alone. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must not relapse into legalism but must live in the liberty Christ has provided. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to rest in the finished work of Christ.

About DCLM and Daily Manna

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and salvation by grace through faith.

DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to live by faith and not by legalism.

Prayer Reflection
Lord, thank You for redeeming me from the curse of the law. I rest in the finished work of Christ. Help me to live by faith and not by works. Keep me from legalism and self-righteousness. May I walk in the liberty You have given me, serving You out of love and gratitude. In Jesus’ name. Amen.