Yes. Christ became the curse for us so that we might not be under the curse of the law. Tell that to the legalists. They are out there thinkin' that by their obedience they can avoid the curse of the law. But they can't. They fail miserably at the perfection the law requires. Thus: Death awaits them.

Is 'doing penance' to get forgiveness of a sin, legalism? A way of forgiving ourselves --without Jesus? Wasn't that what Martin Luther was so intent on doing just before he hit on the wonderful idea of righteousness by faith?

Is there any chance that we could be saved without keeping the commandments? Does that put both obedience and legalism into the 'motive' arena.

Not if you know better, but then which one of the ten would be impossible to keep? It is my understanding that when God wrote with His own finger on stone He thought that it would be understood He ment for us to keep them, that is if we want him to be our God. These were not ten suggestions.

IMO, the only people that turned their backs on Jesus were the ones that "thought they knew it all" or those that were happy with the status quo. The common everyday person could not resist this Man. They would flock to Him like bees to honey.

I believe also that keeping our eyes on Him and having trust that He changes not, we can all become as little children. It is difficult to be the odd duck in the family. For many years, there there those that I could go and share my burdens...God with skin on. Words of wisdom and prayer from those saints calmed my weary soul. Now that special group is growing smaller each year.

Dr. Rich, I am sorry that you find yourself with those sort of difficulties esp on this forum. And your family...the very ones that you should be able to share your joys with.
One of my favorite texts in the Book is the one found in Psalm 27:10
When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Blessings to you.

I will throw out these questions.

We are told to walk in the light. Amen?
If we do not have darkness, how can we see light?

Light is only seen in darkness. One must light a candle on the eve of a day for if it is lit while the sun is at noon position, it would not be of help.

How many of us bring light to those who are in darkness and do not know it?

Or are we also blind with our eyes wide open?

John 3:19-21
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

We must practice the truth to leave the darkness and walk with the light. The source of truth is the testimony of Jesus, His words are what will lead us into the light. We must be careful not to ignore or reject His words or we will remain in darkness.

John 12:35,36 So Jesus said to them, a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light."