(02/25/2016) The Cross Broke Every Curse?

Covenant with divinity, with a chosen worship community, and the curses broken by the death of Jesus upon the cross are topics, today.  Curses are manifestations of the wrath of GOD against sin.  The Savior’s death on the cross granted mankind a new level of freedom as believers in GOD.  What we speak of as “the curse of the law” are the errors and limitations that result from the character, nature, and operations of the divine directives that expose and identify sin, yet, do not eliminate and remove it.  Being “under the works of the law” means being dependent upon correctly performing all the actions required within the law, and trusting the law for necessary sacred knowledge, relationship with divinity, and salvation.  Curses may be broken through commitment, expiration, and the operations of faith; thus, we see Ruth of Moab, an ancestor of Jesus Christ, becoming accepted as a covenant-partner first through marriage, then through Naomi, and again through Boaz (see the Book of Ruth).  In this a curse was broken (Deuteronomy 23:  3-4, King James Version (KJV):  3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:  4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.)  Believers who enroll as members of a congregation are given opportunity to “break the curse.”  Members agree to cooperate with and obey those who have been appointed as leaders, supervisors and fellow-workers.  Unspoken and unwritten terms may include agreement to avoid having firearms, quarreling, and committing criminal acts and physical violence on church grounds.  The peculiar agreement for church membership shared among some congregations is no less a legal obligation than that for a credit card, and may include participation in meeting the financial needs of the group.  In the same way, ones household must make payments to meet the demands of those supplying goods and services, the congregation must have a reliable and steady cash flow to respond to its various creditors.  Many church groups now employ mechanisms and secular rules for association that have been used widely among businesses, schools, and government agencies.  With this in view, an assembly may conduct some form of background check, and is not required to accept every candidate for membership.  Consider again the Scriptures and the presentation below:

Hebrews 7:  14-19, King James Version (KJV):  14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.  15 And it is yet far more evident:  for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,  16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.  19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Malachi 3:  9-11, KJV:  9 Ye are cursed with a curse:  for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

John 8:  34-36, KJV:  34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever:  but the Son abideth ever.  36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Daisy” (Level 4 with 3,301 points, a member since April 20, 2011) posted the following:


If Jesus came to break all curses, then..?

Why do Pastors say a curse will fall upon us if we don't give our tithe? Please answer, I don't understand this...


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:  for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith:  but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  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:  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  (Galatians 3:  7-14, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Christ A Curse? (01/25/2016); Christ Receives the Tithes? (08/04/2015); Some Points on Tithing (03/19/2015); The Curse of Black Skin? (02/05/2015); A Curse Removed (12/26/2013); Intercession (12/27/2013)


“Daisy”, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood and truth from the cross are flowing despite time and space to here and now.  The death of Jesus Christ upon the cross did not totally eliminate or remove sin as an influence from the earth.  A new divine provision was established that is crucial to atonement, forgiveness, rebirth, repentance, and sanctification, yet, did not automatically annul all curses, disobedience, and transgression.  The many curses from GOD inflicted upon Israel even included condemnation of the Aaronic priesthood as a continuing line from the time of Eli (with his sons, Hophni and Phinehas) and Samuel the Prophet.  Similarly, because those from the mob that demanded Jesus be crucified also agreed his blood should be upon themselves and their future generations, the divine provision for a remnant has been established, that does not automatically extend to every one.

Many of the “curses” described in the Bible are negative conditions in contrast to blessings that result from violation of “covenant law” that includes what we call the Ten Commandments, commandments to observe peculiar ceremonies, offerings, and observances as well as laws regarding diet, food, health and personal relationships.  The 12 tribes of Jacob and the mixed multitude of Gentiles who left Egypt with Moses all agreed to the terms for continuing as a people of GOD when they heard the law proclaimed by Jehovah at Mt. Sinai.  Realizing the covenant agreement would have to be repeated many times in order to maintain the commitment of the people, Moses commanded that, after crossing the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, the blessings and curses of the law should be proclaimed from the top of two opposing mountains, Ebal and Gerizim.

Believers, today, often fail to recognize that their own membership within a congregation of believers is “on condition,” has been through their own word, and is a formal agreement and “signed pledge” that also may detail their accountability, specific duties, and necessary responsibilities.  (At first, children only have place in the agreement through their parents.)  The ceremonies of the church such as baptism, confession and confirmation are to establish ones spiritual commitment, while the bond of love and unity within the congregation must come through such practical tasks as decorating the altar, food distribution, fund raising, making repairs, and group study.  The basis for agreement is different, and turns upon principles for association, and necessary discipline, not upon ceremonial law.  Correctly understood, violation of ones “oath” is cause for denial of status as a “member in good standing,” dismissal, and excommunication.  Consider how this is stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 11:  26-29, King James Version (KJV):  26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;  27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:  28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.  29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

(2.)  1st Samuel 3:  10-14, KJV:  10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.  11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.  12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house:  when I begin, I will also make an end.  13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.  14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

(3.)  James 4:  17, KJV:  17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, it should be shared, (4.) Romans 3:  20-22, KJV:  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:)  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC