The first five books of the Old Testament are known as the Torah. This Hebrew word refers to the law of God as revealed to Moses. If Adam and Eve didn’t break God’s initial rule introduced in Genesis 2:16-17, this collection of rules and regulations for life on earth would not be necessary. Unfortunately, Adam’s lack of leadership is to blame, allowing and watching Satan deceive and encourage Eve to take and eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This act of original sin led the apostle Paul to write in Romans 5:12-21 that death came through Adam. This spiritual destruction was redeemed after God sent a second Adam, Jesus who brought salvation to the world as well as overriding the rules of the past.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins, Colossians 2:13.
This concept is explained by the apostle Paul in a letter to the church at Colosse. This ancient city of Phrygia in Asia Minor provides a vital message for those individuals stuck in modern denominations that focus on legalism rather than grace. As a former zealot, Paul uses terminology familiar to God fearing Jews to get their attention. Without a priest sacrificing an animal on your behalf, first century believers in God were powerless to receive forgiveness. This co-dependency became a tedious practice that Jesus came to abolish. As a perfect lamb of God, Jesus embraced death on a cross to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin, once and for all.
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. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through [he cross, Colossians 2:14-15.
However, this process would not be completed until Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The moment Jesus broke free of his grave clothes, the resurrection was finalized. This symbolic act cancelled the written codes that stood against human beings. In one magical second in time, Jesus nailed these age old rules to the cross, conquering death and unlocking the spiritual chains of legalism. May the passages above speak to heart and give hope to your mind. While the world tends to believe a relationship with God means living by a strict set of rigid regulations, Jesus came to set you free by overriding the rules of the past with free will.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 