For those of us who live in the Western world we need to remember, Jesus (Yeshua) is Jewish, so, everything He does will be inline with the Jewish culture. So let’s dive into the issue of Colossians 2:14 that many Christians misunderstand. For one to fully grasp this, I’ll post the scripture from several different Bibles which will make it easier to comprehend. The scripture states;

Colossians 2:14 NASB – Having canceled the certificate of death 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.

Colossians 2:14 NKJB – Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:14 AMP – 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.

Colossians 2:14 ISR 1998 – Having blotted out the certificate of debt against us – by the dogmas – which stood against us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the stake.

Colossians 2:14 Peshitta (Aramaic) – And He has blotted out by His authority the bill of our debts which was adverse to us and He took it from the midst and nailed it to the cross.

When Western people read this scripture they automatically think it’s referring to God’s Law, the 10 commandments that was nailed to the cross. But ask yourself, does it make sense that God would put HIS LAW within us, write it on our hearts and mind as part of the NEW COVENANT, yet, have HIS people disregard His Commandments? Does that make any sense at all?

Let’s examine and break this scripture down.

God’s Law, the ten commandments, were taught in every synagogue on the Sabbath and we know from scripture that Paul stated multiple times that the Law is Holy. So when Paul states, “having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands” OR “dogmas” OR “handwriting of requirements” he’s referring to the laws, the decrees that the Pharisees, Scribes along with the Roman rulers, Pharaoh, added on top of God’s law. Making it impossible to follow God’s Commandments. Remember, the Roman rulers were the Beast system during that time.

And, if you continue reading you’ll soon realize just “why” the Apostle Paul stated to the people, why do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch! He was making a point, which was, these are man’s rules, not God’s. Jesus came to remove that penalty for breaking God’s Law NOT to remove the ten commandments. They were NEVER nailed to the cross, only the commandments of men, their decrees, their dogma and legal demands.

For those who are wondering about the statement made, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbat”. At that time the Church was being attacked by Orthodox Judaism stating the Jewish people had to be circumcised, had to celebrate other feast and sabbaths that were NOT given by God not to mention the celebrations the Roman Empire inflicted. So Paul was making it clear to the people that when you accept Yeshua as the Lord and believe in Him He would remove the penalty of death, and give them the Holy Spirit so they would be able to follow God’s Law spiritually. This is also the reason Jesus went off on the Scribes and Pharisees when He spoke the many WOE’s against them. But to the crowds and to His disciples He says;

“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So practice and observe everything they
tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they
themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Matthew 23:1-4

While the Ten Commandments are still valid, it is the Holy Spirit which guides, teaches and helps us to walk in them avoiding sin. Of course, Jesus also stated;

Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Matthew 22:37-40

But to further clarify my point, lets review the words Jesus said when He made the statement;

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Matthew 5:17,18

Jesus tells us in simple dialect, the Law and the Prophecies are still valid and will not disappear until heaven and earth pass away. The Law is still valid because they help us determine what sin is and the Holy Spirit helps us to walk in righteousness which helps us avoid breaking them. But, as with everything, God gives us free will so we can choose to ignore the Holy Spirit and break the law, especially, when we choose to follow man!

But don’t take my word for it, STUDY the SCRIPTURES for yourself and KNOW what they say because there are many false Christ and false teachers in the world today.

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