Colossians 2:14
14 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;
Paul had several great confrontations in his life which I think were bitter and difficult. Every one of them was over the issue of law.
Paul never had a problem over God's grace.
It is the same today, you never hear of those that are in grace kicking others out of their fellowship.
....um........not quite true......
It is always the law that separates and divides us. In law there is only divisiveness because that is the very center of law.
The Apostle Paul had the supreme test of battling law.
When the gospel went to the Gentiles it was a gospel that had no law in it.
It was easy dealing with the Gentiles, but at the same time the Lord told Paul to tell Israel this was their opportunity to be saved also.
This is how the Jewish person comes into the plan of God today. The Kingdom is set aside and will not be restored until the Millennium.
The same message that went to the Gentiles, without the law, also went to Israel.
During Paul's time, two inconceivable things took place.
Paul who knew nothing but the law, converted to God's grace.
At the same time, Paul had to go to a people that were so deeply steeped in law and committed to it that they would kill to maintain their law.
To make sure you hear it clearly, read these words in
Ephesians 2:15
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
If grace is mixed with law, then it is no longer grace. So we say how do we handle sins of the flesh if there is no law.
It is handled the same way Paul handled it, by the preaching of the gospel.
God's cross is still the only liberator that exists.
Your law keeping, law doing, and law preaching will not set the captive free.