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NASB | Colossians 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. |
Subject: Partly under the Law? |
Bible Note: Dear Doc, Hopefully, I will already know the answers to the simple questions ;-) I appreciate your more analytical approach to this question, making it a little easier to look at. This is more what I have been looking for. I have had some partly formed ideas on this topic, and you have certainly given me some food for thought. This is what I love so much about this forum, it is such a terrific opportunity to work these things out so I understand better. Searcher made the comment that Jesus replaced the sacrificial system (from Heb. 9-10). I would rather say Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system, becoming the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice intended all along. So we no longer need to sacrifice; this law was fulfilled for all of us. The idea that we reject the Law makes me uncomfortable also. But in this example, we don’t reject the sacrificial law, we embrace the fullness of it, by embracing Jesus’ sacrifice as the ultimate fulfilling sacrifice. We cling to the sacrificial law, because this is what give the foundation of substitutionary atonement. We know that Jesus released us from the dietary law, as has been discussed over the last couple of days. So we do not reject this portion of the Law, we recognize the wisdom of what it decrees, but we also know that we are no longer bound by its requirement, and that “all foods are clean.” As you pointed out, the laws governing fellowship and acceptance were dealt with, as we have become the temple (I like the way you put that!) But isn’t it accurate to say that Jesus fulfilled all of the Mosaic Law, just as He did the sacrificial law? And that the righteousness that Jesus demonstrated by His keeping of the entire Law is imputed to us? We are accounted as having lived the same righteous life that Jesus did by our faith in Him. Just as I am no longer subject to obey the sacrificial system, can I still be subject to obey to rest of the Law? I say “subject” very specifically. Galatians 3:23-25 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” I.E. no longer under the law. Kalos makes the statement that some would make Jesus’ intent as if to abolish the law in spite of Himself, as if fulfilling the law abolishes it. But to say that we are no longer required to be subject to the law because we receive credit for Jesus’ fulfilling the law does not abolish the law. The law is still good, and is still in force to perform the purpose for with it was instituted. The law also describes the nature of God, as you mentioned, and as we come to Him, and serve Him, our lives will reflect the works of the Law, however, we do not do these works because the law requires it, but because this is the nature of God, and the new nature He has given us. Jesus repeats the commandments of the Law, letting us know that God has not changed, but He also tells “be perfect”, a command we can in no wise keep! I originally asked this question because of statements made by some that in effect said we are still under (subject to) portions of the Mosaic Law, and I wanted to see if there was in fact a Biblical basis to this. I do not believe there is. When the gentiles began to join the church, the apostles gave only four “laws” - Acts 15:20 “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” Lest I be mis-understood: I totally believe that the person who serves God will also be one who’s life reflects the law, as Jesus reaffirmed in His teaching. We must both do, and teach, the commandments of God. But not because the Mosaic Law requires it, but because God does an original work in us to both will and to do His good pleasure. I also like what you said “The challenge is working out for ourselves, based on the Word of God, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, where the "fuzzier" laws fit and, therefore, how we ought to live.” I agree with you, this is by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in each of our lives. Thank you for your thoughts! Love in Christ, Mark |