“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

In 1844, a young German scholar named Constantine Tischendorf visited St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai desert. When in the library, he noticed a basket containing old parchment pages, destined for the furnace, or so the legend goes. When he examined them closely, his heart must have stopped—these were pages from a 4th-century Greek Bible, one of the oldest manuscripts in existence. He salvaged 43 pages that day. Fifteen years later, he returned, and the monks allowed him to see the rest: the Codex Sinaiticus, containing nearly the entire Bible from around 350 AD. What had been sitting unrecognized for centuries became one of history’s most important biblical discoveries.

In Colossians 2:14, Paul describes something God deliberately removed from view: The Mosaic Law—that entire dispensation of written ordinances—was blotted out. Christ fulfilled these ordinances with His perfect work. He did not do this because it was worthless, but because Christ fulfilled it completely.

There is something practical that derives from this truth: You should not wake up in the morning wondering if you’ve kept enough regulations to earn God’s favor. Recognize what dispensation you’re in. Many Christians live as if that “certificate of debt” is still active, working frantically to earn what Christ already provided.

This week. Think of one area where you’re still trying to “earn” God’s approval. This may be attempting a perfect performance at work, spiritual checklists, or proving your worth. Write it down, then cross it out. The Law’s condemnation was nailed to the cross; therefore, crossing out your sin too. You’re operating under grace now (Ephesians 2:8-10). Live in its freedom today!