10-The Law Written

There are several places in the New Testament where the law in
its written aspect is spoken of, where it is described as ‘the law of
commandments contained in ordinances’, ‘the letter’, ‘the written
code’, and so on. 1 This written law, Scripture explains, is at
enmity with those it holds in its grip. It is a ‘ministry of
condemnation’, a ‘ministry of death’ for those who are under it.
Above all, these New Testament passages declare that, for his
people, Christ has dealt with this ‘letter’, this ‘law of
commandments contained in ordinances’, this ‘written and
engraved’ law which was against them. He has removed it. They
are no longer under it. In short, these passages concerning the
written law teach the very same as Romans 6:14; 7:4,6; 8:4,
Galatians 3:25-26; 5:18, and elsewhere.