For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” - Galatians 3:10

Why are they all cursed? Because all men fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). All men have failed in regards to the law. The law makes it very clear here (and in Deut. 27:26) when it uses the word cursed. Cursed does not mean something light and fluffy, it means they are doomed, condemned men.

19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; - Romans 3:19

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. - Galatians 3:23

Without faith man's default state is in custody under the law. The man that does not believe in Christ is not judged by Christ but remains judged by the law already since such a man is not under faith. Apart from Christ, by default, by our nature, we are held guilty, and we've earned it. Cursed because of our failure to abide by all the things written in the book of the law (Gal. 3:10).

17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - John 3:17-18

Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world (John 3:17), the world is already condemned by the law given beforehand (Gal. 3:23). Not that the law is bad (Rom. 7:7), but through the law their sin is made evident and they have been found guilty. Christ came to save the world from the curse of the law. His very name Jesus means "He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21) and He's the only one who can represent such a great name.

12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” - Galatians 3:11

"before God". God is the judge, not men. If God said you cannot dwell in His house without a white shirt, than you can't. No justification nor reasoning is required. He is the Almighty (Job 40:2). It's God's house and God's rules go, period. Many men have judged themselves according to their own standards as worthy to go into heaven. What they fail to realize is that entry into God's house requires that you meet God's standards. Christ's coming does not change this in the least; He made that very clear.

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:48

because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:16

In the new testament the standard is still the same as it was in the old testament to be right in the sight of God (Duet. 27:26). Anything less than perfection will not be accepted. One who stumbles in any point is just as condemned as one who violates all of them.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. - James 2:10

Let there be no doubt in your mind, your works only credit you wrath. If at any time you wish to return to a works based acceptance before God remember God's standard of perfection. Measuring your works before God as a basis for acceptance, if you measured accurately, should always leave you in dispair. UNLESS you also understand the second part of Galatains 3:11, that is “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

Righteous is defined as "Right standing before God". Paul says it's evident that nobody is justified by the law before God because God has made it clear that a person who is to be in right standing before God has to do so by faith. If a person could be right in the sight of God by their works than God who knows all would have said that too. But God didn't. Why? Because it can't be done. Paul here is quoting an old testament passage (Habakkuk 2:4), just as Abraham trusted in God and was credited with righteousness (Rom. 4:3), the same basis for that undeserved favor from God remains in the new testament, that is by faith. Remember, as written in Luke 17:10, even if we somehow could even do all the works required of us, we've only done what was required of us, it still does not credit us a seat at God's table or entry into God's house.

But God does offer a seat at His table. God does offer us a way into His house. I would venture to say God is more eager to save sinners than sinners are to be saved.

32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. - Luke 12:32

(See also Isaiah 30:18, Matt. 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24, 15:7, 15:10, Heb. 12:2).

This entry however is not earned by works of the law but, as we see in the above verse, it's given as a gift to those whom would accept such a great gift.

In Galatians 3:11 Paul is pointing out in Galatians that there is a way that exists apart from works to be righteous, to be in right standing before God and that way is by faith. Faith which works completely independent of works.

28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. - Romans 3:28

Works on the otherhand are completely dependent on faith. Genuine faith will always result in genuine works. (Jam. 2:18), faith does not need works to be successful. On the contrary, as we covered in the previous chapter, works need faith to be successful.

However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” - Galatians 3:12

"the Law is not of faith" The two don't work together to bring about justification or sanctification. They are two completely different systems. "He who practices them shall live by them." The one that focuses on the law, to practice it, should understand that he is obligated by the law in it's entirety apart from faith. Nobody get's to partake in both. You either live by the law which will prove all men condemned, or you live by the only working solution known to man (John 6:68) "The righteous man shall live by faith." (Gal. 3:11).

A common challenge is this, "But Ryan the Bible makes it very clear works are required". You can't simply discard what the bible says about works". I would respond in complete agreement. Christ answered such a challenge as well.

18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:18-20

There is one key ingredient missing to this passage, I purposely left out the preceeding verse so that I could now highlight it.

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. - Matthew 5:17

This brings me to what our faith is in. That is Christ, who made it very clear that the requirements of the law remain, and who made it very clear that He came to fulfill them. So what does this mean for those of us in Christ?

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. - Rom. 8:1-4

"so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us". We are walking trophys of God. While in the flesh Christ bore our sins, the opposite of that is that we bear His righteousness. We are walking perfection. We are the trophy case displaying Christ's accomplishments. While in His flesh He assumed our ugliness, in our spirits we assume His splendor. By Christ's doing alone He has made us perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, Christ has made us holy as He is holy. When the accuser of the brethren reminds me of my sin, I remind him of Christ's righteousness. How does one gain entry into God's house? He actually comes to us, His invitation is a very personable one.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. - Rev. 3:20

That's it. Want a seat at God's table? Open the door man! God almighty wishes to dine with you.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, - John 1:12

Notice no stipulations of works are being place on these invitations. It's simply receiving the gift that God is freely giving. Want the Holy Spirit? Then just ask.

13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” - Luke 11:13

I believe in the goodness of God by faith. I often cannot fathom it, it goes beyond any worldly examples I've seen, but worldly examples often help. For example, when I sin, if the person I sin against can forgive me, then by faith I know God definitely can (and does) forgive me for God is more merciful than any man (2 Sam. 24:14, Psalm 30:5). Sure I have doubts regarding God's mercy on me but my doubts do not cause God to waiver in who He is. God is unchanging (Mal. 3:6, Jam. 1:17) and His mercy is rooted in His character (Heb. 10:23, 1 Cor. 1:9, 2 Tim. 2:13).

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— - Galatians 3:13

The curse of the law no longer applies to us who have been redeemed from it in Christ. Why did He do this?

14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. - Galatians 3:14

Everyone by default is on the path to destruction until they respond to Jesus who imparts the Spirit which is promised to all those whom receive it through faith (Gal. 3:14). You cannot have your feet in both boats. You are either in the one sinking or you have been rescued from that one by Jesus Christ. Paul makes it clear in these 5 verses that you can either live by works or live by faith, that the two are separate and share no common ground in terms of living (Gal. 3:11). He then elaborated on the consequences of the boat you choose. Either the sail boat of faith, powered by Christ which all passengers are promised the Spirit (Gal. 3:14), or the fail boat of legalism of which all passengers are promised to be cursed. Everyone who chooses works as their means of justification are bound to keep all that the law requires (Gal. 3:10-11). Everyone that receives Christ through faith receive the blessing of Abraham, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

It's important for those choosing the boat of legalism to understand they are required to keep the whole law. Ultimately this should point out they are in a sinking ship. This is why we do not minimize God's holiness and the truth of scripture that states the same is required of us. If they do not see their ship is sinking what would provoke them to accept Christ's offer?

It's funny...well not funny. Even after we put our trust in Christ, many of us try and set up the Christian boat exactly how the legalism boat was run. Even though it was a failed method and clearly Christ is a successful method, yet are programming still has us running around trying to maintain a boat that is already maintained by Christ.

Sure the old boat sank because of the curse of trying to follow the mosiac law, but this new boat just needs a new set of laws right? Again we miss that this boat is run by Christ, maintained by Christ. We scrub the deck when Christ keeps them perfectly clean at all times.