What is the handwriting of ordinances in Colossians 2:14?
The handwriting of ordinances in Colossians 2:14 is the law—especially the law practiced at the time of Christ, which had become a compilation of 613 rules and regulations. It was against us and contrary to human nature, so the work of the cross blotted it out, took it out of the way, and nailed it to His cross.
Les teaches that Paul understood this better than anyone. In Colossians 2:14, the handwriting of ordinances that was against us was the law—especially the law being practiced when Christ was here, which had degenerated into a compilation of 613 rules and regulations. Those ordinances were contrary to us, and the law was absolutely contrary to human nature. The work of the cross blotted it out, took it out of the way, and nailed it to His cross. Les explains that Paul then helped believing Jews like himself see that the old economy had been totally done away with—it was nailed to His cross. If Paul rebuilt that which he had destroyed by putting converts back under the law, he would be building again what he had destroyed.
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;