The commandments is nailed to the cross is almost a universal cry within Protestantism today. From the clergy down to the regular member, all excuse themselves from keeping the law of God. However, ideologies, being popular, does not make it right. But some seeker of truth might be asking, what does this text really mean? What does the bible teach?
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14
Pay close attention to every detail of this verse, the handwriting of ordinances, it was against us, and contrary to us.
Who wrote these ordinances?
“Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.” 2 Chronicles 33:8
Answer: Moses
What was contained in these ordinances?
“And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them. And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.” 2 Chronicles 35:11, 12
Answer: Ceremonies and feasts
The ceremonies were contained in the book of Moses, this is why it is also called the ceremonial law.
Where was it located?
“Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.” Deuteronomy 31:26
Answer: At the side of the Ark
Notice they were against us, the same phrase used in Colossians 2:14.
Who wrote the commandments?
“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Exodus 31:18
Answer: God
Where was it located?
“And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.” Exodus 25:21
Answer: Inside the ark
N.B. The commandments of God was located inside the ark, at the foundation of God’s throne, and the handwriting of ordinances in a pocket besides the ark. God shows the difference between the two even more in 2 Kings 21:8, “Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them”.
Is the commandments against us?
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25
Answer: No, it is the law of liberty. This law served nothing more than a protection for humanity. Could you imagine the world we would live in if everyone was obedient to God’s immutable law? . Less disease, crime, selfishness, more love, hope, etc. Many would consider this world a utopia, a taste of Heaven on Earth.
Why did Christ blot out the handwriting of ordinances?
“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: …For through him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:15, 16, 18
The ceremonial law was abolished at the cross, no longer were sacrifices to be made, for all pointed to Christ, the ultimate sacrifice (John 1:29). This is very reason animals are no longer sacrificed to receive pardon. However, the commandments of God, or the royal law stands forever (luke 16:17). And now all may come boldly to the throne of God without an earthly priest mediating on our behalf (Hebrews 4:16). Sin had separated us from our creator, and now we could be reconciled unto him, the ceremonial law was done away with. We may become one with God.