I see. So the law is still in effect, just not the debt, in your view. However, doesn't Paul say that since the handwriting of ordinances is taken out of the way, now you don't need anyone to judge you in festivals, new moons, and sabbaths? After saying it's taken out of the way, he then says, "So let no one judge you ..." (Colossians 2:16, NKJV, emphasis mine).
Isn't the handwriting of ordinances tied to the festivals, new moons, and sabbaths, then? How does not having debt relate to not being judged about festivals, new moons, and sabbaths?
II Corinthians 5:21...
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. And Jesus bore our transgressions and was punished for us (Isaiah 53). He abolished the LAW which was against us...
Colossians 2:13-15:
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14
having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
So, we now receive salvation through faith in Jesus which credits us with righteousness.
Important to remember salvation is extended us through faith and faith in Jesus credits us with righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is
credited as righteousness.
We are made right with God, at peace with God, now that the Law is abolished.
What does Scripture say about the Law now that our indebtedness was paid for?
We are to live according to the Spirit and follow the way of Love in thankfulness and praise to God for this great sacrifice and love of God toward mankind. This living according to the Spirit upholds the Law.
Romans 3:31:
31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 6:1-3:
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
To live a sanctified life study the way of Love and the Bibles teachings on Love for God as well as Love toward our brother...not the Law...love will uphold the Law in God's eyes as Romans clearly states.
