Why was the law a curse? How does the Old Testament law lead us to the freedom of the Gospel?

We have always been justified by faith.  Even in the Old Testament, Abraham, before Jesus was crucified and conquered death, was counted as righteous because of his faith, not because of his works.

Remember back to when you were first saved.  The gospel didn’t come to you because you did a bunch of good things, the gospel came to you freely because of what Jesus did on the cross.  Finish what you started, correctly.

By the works of the law none will be justified.  We need to be careful to add nothing to the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross.  Christ alone!

This is Paul’s testimony and his call to spread the gospel to those who had not yet heard it with an emphasis on the poor.