I am reading exactly these words
"the handwriting in ordinances," Now we have to seek light and understanding that THAT is
what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write. It is not my fault. Come on Gary. You're reading the same thing.
Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances, which was against us, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. (Col. 2:14)
We can get more light when we compare
Colossians 2:14 with another similar passage in
Ephesians 2:15.
Abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances,
that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace, (Eph. 2:15)
Christ obliterated something on His cross. What does it mean
- the law of the commandments in ordinances?
What would it mean - the handwriting in ordinances?
The two must refer to the same matter. I do not read this and think "Oh boy! Now I can be immoral. Oh boy!
Now I can be a fornicator or an idolator or practice witchcraft because the commandments in ordinances have been
nailed to the cross."
It would be an insult to my Christian intelligence to presume I take Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15 as license
to live in the flesh. The same New Testament tells me - That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. (Rom. 8:4)
We must seek to understand by experience and not use one part of the word of God to suppress another part of the word.
These
"commandments in ordinances" whatever they are a
"middle wall" dividing people whom God desires to make one new humanity.
These
"commandments in ordinances" disallow the peace which Christ seeks to bring all the saved.
For He Himself is our peace, He who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition, the enmity, (Eph. 2:14)
These "commandments in ordinances" He did not preserve but abolished.
Abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances, (Eph. 2:15a)
This
handwriting in ordinances was not FOR us but AGAINST us believers. It was contrary to us.
Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances, which was against us, which was contrary to us; (Col.2:14a)
This handwriting in ordinances Christ did not preserve for us but wiped it out.
Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances,
In its place we have been both forgiven and also made alive with new divine life.
He made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our offenses; (Col. 2:13)
His blood has also cleansed our conscience from
"dead works" that we may serve "the living God."
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb. 9:14)
Praise the Lord. Did I at any time teach something contrary to this? I did not.
We must grow or the reward of entering into the one thousand year millennial kingdom of God we may miss.
In fact this freedom in the Spirit is not to be used as an occasion to continue living in the sinful flesh - the fallen man which by faith
we believe was crucified with Christ - and buried with Him.
For you were called for freedom, brothers; only do not turn this freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, (Gal. 5:13a)
But for freedom Christ has set us free.
I am glad you want to emphasize the Spirit and the fruits of walking by Him.
I rejoice that you bring this up.
Amen.
I have a song on that too I'd like to share with readers.
No that is not my premise. Sin is more powerful than the religious man.
Man seeking to keep God's law ends in condemnation from God and in self condemnation too.
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin. (Rom. 7:24,25)
So the more powerful one who can free us is the processed Triune God reaching the ultimate expression
as Jesus Christ as the indwelling the Spirit of life indwelling our spirit.
There is now then no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:1,2)
The processed Triune God as Christ in us is the more powerful one who alone can overcome the sin nature. Right?
And this empowering grace Paul said we should allow His complete work in us. He did not nullify the grace of God.
I am crucified with Christ; and
it is no longer I
who live, but
it is Christ
who lives in me; and the
life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness is through law, then Christ has died for nothing. (Gal. 2:20,21)
Your saying that I teach that sin is more poweful than God is a complete error. Please correct the error.
You cannot build an argument on this misunderstanding.
Romans 6, 7 and 8 are the main chapters in the basi book on the more powerfulness of the Triune God.
And His desire to dispense His divine life in Jesus Christ into our being.
Included in this consummate Spirit of life is the terminating power of His death. In this Spirit is also
the killing power to put to death the practices of the sin filled body. We must learn to apply the Spirit to
terminate by
HIS POWER all the negative things in us and even our SELF centered old man.
So then, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh;
For if you live according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live. (Rom. 8:12,13)
As we should not be ignorant that we have been crucified and buried with Christ -
Or are you ignorant that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? (Rom. 6:3)
So also by the same faith we must stand upon the facts that the handwriting of ordinances which was against us Christ
has wiped away and nailed to His cross in His death. And He abolished in His flesh the law of commandments in ordinanes.
Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances, which was against us, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. (Col. 2:14)
Abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances,
that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace, (Eph. 2:15)
Thankyou for sharing your testimony. This is wonderful that you found deliverance and victory in Jesus Christ.
This is good news to all. Christ in us is the Victor who has overcome the world. By His life we too can overcome.
These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
I will share with you some of the triumphs Christ has wrought in me soon in turn.
He has helped me overcome the sinful things and also the things of self for transformation and building up in His Body.