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MAIN TEXT: ISAIAH 37:14-20 & COLOSSIANS 1:14-15

INTRODUCTION

In anticipation, there was a divine and supernatural shift in ordinance when the formal handwriting of sin and its reproach was negated by the latter, which was written by the blood of Jesus Christ, not with ink, disqualifying the antique written code, unpaid debt, ancient decrees, the law of ordinance, and the commandment of death and sin against all human race being unequivocally blotted out, wiped away, and erased through the vicarious death of Christ who conquered death and sin on the cross.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

WHAT IS AN ORDINANCE?

An ordinance is a Christian rite associated with tangible elements (water, bread, and wine) that is celebrated by the church of Jesus Christ. The term is closely associated with the word sacrament, which is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.

WHAT IS THE HANDWRITING OF THE ORDINANCE?

The handwriting of ordinances mentioned in Colossians 2:14 does not refer to the Law of Moses. They claim that since the word ordinances in Colossians 2:14 comes from the Greek word dogma (dog’-mah) it cannot refer to the Law of Moses.

The handwriting of the ordinance, therefore, is simply the written code of sin that was inked against all humanity from the time man fell in the Garden of Eden through disobedience, which was the punishment of death and a lake of fire.

THE CRUX MAIN TEXT – ISAIAH 37: 14-20

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF KING HEZEKIAH’S ACTION

a) Hezekiah departed to the temple of God and in the house of the LORD, and spread the letter before God.

Hezekiah did exactly what any child of God should do with such a letter. In fact, anyone struggling with an ordinance of sin in his life is just to turn to the maker of life who is able to transform and save as well. He took it to the house of the LORD (to the outer courts, not the holy place), and he spread it before the LORD. In this, Hezekiah boldly and effectively fulfilled the later command of 1 Peter 5:7.

b) The LORD of host:

The almighty God is the chief army commander of his people, and so when crises of such sought arose, he was consulted. This title for our God essentially means “LORD of armies.” Hezekiah was in a crisis that was primarily military in nature, so it made sense for him to address the LORD first according to the aspect of God’s nature that was most needful for him.

c) “LORD of armies, send some troops to help us!” God of Israel:

This title was actually used by the King to re-echo to God that the people of Israel were his people.

This title for God also reminded Hezekiah, in our human way of understanding, that the LORD God was the covenant God of Israel and that He should not forsake His people.

c) The One who dwells between the cherubim:

At this point, Hezekiah views God’s greatness in the context of Him dwelling between cherubim who is strong and majestic would not allow Rabshakeh to overcome his people.

d) “You are God, you alone”:

God is a simple title for our LORD, but perhaps the most powerful. If He is God, then what can He do? If He is God, then what is beyond His control? Hezekiah realizes the most fundamental fact of all theology: God is God, and we are not! God is God, and Rabshakeh or the Assyrians are not!

e) “You have made heaven and earth”:

In recognizing the LORD God as Creator, Hezekiah saw that the LORD had all power and all rights over every created thing. We can almost feel Hezekiah’s faith rising as he prayed this.

f) “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see”:

In this verse, let me explain with how in Exodus 3:3-4 the crying of the people of God, the Israelites when they were in captivity went up to the Lord and God said I have heard about the cry of my people and I have come down to deliver them.

Hezekiah knew very well that the LORD did in fact hear and see the blasphemies of Rabshakeh. This is a poetic way of asking God to act upon what He has seen and heard, assuming that if God has seen such things, He will certainly act.

HUMANITY AND THE WRITTEN CONTEXT FROM THE BACKDROP OF HEZEKIAH’S KINGSHIP

Humankind had also received a letter of death and destruction from the camp of Satan when from the day Adam sinned against God and have obey the devil. Man was destined to hell and the lake of fire forever and ever but when he took the people of Israel as his nation and they cried unto him which was in alignment of God’s plan for humanity he sent forth his son to remove the handwriting of inscription that was against us and to change the verdict from death to life and hope in everlasting life and power.

LET’S ALSO DEAL WITH THE SECOND TEXT COLOSSIANS 2:13-15

a) “And took it out of the way”:

In Galatians 3:13 we read, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hanged on a tree.”

When Christ was impaled or crucified on the cross or “tree,” He was made a curse by taking our sins. The Law was not a curse. But sin due to breaking of God’s Law put a note of debt on our heads. This note of sinful guilt due to following Ways contrary to God’s Law was against us until Christ lifted the curse from us.

The Law was not nailed to the stake or cross Christ was (John 19:17, 18). The record of our sins was nailed to the stake in His body (I Peter 2:24).

Now we all can better understand Colossians 2:14. Notice this verse again as it stands in the King James Version. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to use, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”

b) “Sins Blotted Out”:

Let’s now see how the context of Colossians proves how this “handwriting of ordinances” refers to the record of our sins. Colossians 2 explains: “In whom [Christ] also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” (verse 11). Paul elsewhere reveals we are to be circumcised “in the heart.”

c) “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it”:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12.

What are these principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness?

But revelation points out that spiritual beings often carry out God’s purpose in the natural world, and not only as messengers. (Exodus 12:23, 2 Samuel 24:16, Ps 91:11, Ps 34:7, Ex 23:20).

Principalities and powers simply describe angelic powers, those invisible, whether they be good or bad. But, in this context, the verse turns dark with the mention of the rulers and the spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:10-21.

This passage in the whole of scriptures might be the one that speaks most clearly about the invisible powers which rule and influence nations. It speaks about “patron” angels that preside over the destinies of particular nations: a prince of Persia, a prince of Greece, and Michael, a chief prince of Israel.

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. Revelation 12:7.

So, Israel has a spiritual champion (Dan. 10:21) and there are powers opposed to Israel. These “princes” of the heathen powers will face God and be judged in the future for their deeds as any other created being.

d) “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Jesus Christ went to hell on the day he was crucified and made public spectacle of them all and triumphed over them. He destroyed the works he took Satan off his throne and made a showdown of all demons in hell and took away the keys of life and death and resurrected hallelujah.

CONCLUSION

Colossians 2:14 explains that even more. It says that Jesus “canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” The debt of our sins has been paid by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Written by Overseer Emmanuel Owusu (Mpasaso District – Tepa Area)

Inspired by the touching narrative of “A Taste of Sin,” a new Christian movie trending, this article aims to underscore the significance of adhering to church principles, particularly concerning the suspension of church members from activities.

The film portrays the journey of a pastor suspended from the church due to an affair with a choir member, resulting in her tragic death from an abortion. However, through genuine repentance during his suspension, both God and the church restored him.

While the movie primarily serves as a cautionary tale for men of God and Christians to remain vigilant against temptation, it prompts a deeper examination of a vital church practice: SUSPENSIONS.

In the realm of religious communities, the decision to suspend church members from activities and gatherings is often met with mixed reactions. While some view it as a harsh measure, others see it as essential for maintaining the integrity of the church’s principles and doctrines. Often a contentious topic due to misunderstandings, suspensions play a crucial role in maintaining integrity and accountability within the church community.

This article delves into the significance of such actions, drawing insights from both biblical references and practical everyday life events.

Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that the concept of discipline within the church has its roots in biblical teachings. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus lays out a clear process for handling disputes within the church community, which includes steps for addressing wrongdoing and, if necessary, eventual exclusion from the fellowship: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

This passage underscores the importance of accountability and discipline within the church body. By suspending members from activities and gatherings, church leadership demonstrates a commitment to upholding biblical standards and addressing behavior that deviates from those standards.

Moreover, the decision to suspend members serves as a form of protection for the broader church community. Just as leaven can leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6), allowing unrepentant sin to go unchecked within the congregation can have detrimental effects on the spiritual health and unity of the body. Suspending members sends a clear message that certain behaviors are incompatible with the values and beliefs of the church, thereby safeguarding its integrity and witness to the world.

In practical everyday life, we encounter numerous situations where accountability and discipline are necessary for the well-being of a community. In a workplace setting, for example, employees who consistently violate company policies may face suspension or termination to maintain productivity and morale. Similarly, in sports teams, players who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or violate team rules may be benched or suspended from games to uphold the integrity of the sport and the team’s reputation.

Likewise, in the context of the church, suspending members from activities is not an act of condemnation but rather an opportunity for repentance and restoration. Galatians 6:1 reminds believers to restore those who have fallen away in a spirit of gentleness, emphasizing the ultimate goal of reconciliation and healing within the body.

What is rather troubling is the hypocrisy within some circles in the church community enforcing this practice of suspension in a biased way. Sometimes, church members face the full rigor of the suspension, while other church leaders who fall prey are handled in a rather favored manner. This sometimes causes disaffection among the church populace. If the law can be implemented in an impartial, fair, and firm manner no matter who falls victim, then the intent and purposes of suspensions in the Church can be achieved. This underscores the importance of consistency and integrity in the application of disciplinary measures, ensuring that all members are held accountable to the same standards regardless of their position or status within the church hierarchy.

In conclusion, the significance of suspending church members from activities and gatherings cannot be understated. It reflects a commitment to biblical principles, protects the integrity of the church community, and provides an opportunity for repentance and restoration. By upholding accountability and discipline, the church maintains its witness to the world and fosters a community marked by grace, love, and holiness.

Written by Daniel Kwabena Mantey (Pent TV Anchor, Social Media: @dkwabenamantey, himantey@gmail.com)

The Great Commission Charge is a helping mandate to the ‘least’ among us. It is refreshing and inspiring to know that man has always been on the agenda of God right from the beginning. As an approved and certified representative of Him on earth, to continuously live the life of God without fail, God chose man as His own rightful human ambassador, formed to function as planned, equipped to reflect His image and likeness, taking rulership and dominion over every creature on earth – Genesis 1:26-30.

Contrary to God’s plan and vision for man, the act of sin through Adam’s disobedience watered down the supposed glorious image of man, by separating man from his source of life and sufficiency, creating in man a gap of insufficiency. The soul of man, which was once filled and satisfied with all spiritual blessings in the presence of God, has now become contaminated: thirsty, hungry, naked, ill, and imprisoned. Man was shortchanged as a result of sin, falling short of the glory of God as mentioned in Romans 3:23. Like sheep without a shepherd, the soul of man had no water to quench his thirst, no food to fill his hunger, no cloth to cover his nakedness, no balm to heal himself, and above all, no authority to free him from the shackles of slavery and imprisonment. In essence, man became hopeless.

To the glory of God, like the days of old, in the Garden of Eden, where God was in search of man after disobedience, God through His son Jesus Christ demonstrated greater love to the world. But glory be to God, who through His son Jesus Christ, has demonstrated great love to the world. That while we were still sinners, Christ was sent to die for us – Romans 5:8.

In John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life,” Amen. An escape plan was made available through the blood of the Lamb of God, a sacrifice that took care of our lost glory in the beginning, serving as the answer to the lack and insufficiency created by sin in us. Through His death and resurrection, a greater opportunity was made available to mankind, that, “to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” – John 1:12-13. To become a child of God is for one to cross from death to life, the past nature of thirst, hunger, nakedness, illness, and imprisonment is filled with the gospel of Christ that one receives and accepts.

In John 8:12, Jesus testified about Himself when He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” You will have the authentic light that ends the darkness of thirst with everlasting water – Isaiah 55:1, the darkness of hunger with food from the very mouth of God – Ezekiel 34:14, John 6:50-51, the darkness of nakedness with the cloth of glory – 2 Corinthians 5:2-3, the darkness of illness with the balm of Gilead – Isaiah 53:5, the darkness of imprisonment with the truth that gives perpetual freedom – John 8:32.

It is against this backdrop of truth that God, through His son Jesus, is charging us as Christians and believers to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are being charged with the mandate to be helpers to the many out there who are thirsty, hungry, naked, ill, and in the bondage of prison as a result of being in the darkness of sin.

In Matthew 25: 31-46, Jesus gives an account of His epic Judgement to take place when He returns as King with His angels and takes His place on the throne. In His narration, He described a group of people who needed different kinds of help as “least brothers and sisters of His” (emphasis mine), emphasizing how important it is to Him that His ‘least brethren’ will be helped by His servants while He was away and how rewarding it will be to them (servants) for the help rendered.

 ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

From the passage, the phrase ‘least of these brothers and sisters of mine’ is not to say that some humans are less valuable than others, as if there were a hierarchy of worth in being human, with some, such as the wealthy and self-sufficient, at the top while others, such as the poor or the materially and financially dependent, at the bottom. Not at all!

The tag ‘least’ is akin to the metaphoric description of anyone in sin (darkness), who is insufficient due to their lost glory, and are found to be spiritually thirsty, hungry, naked, ill, and imprisoned. Such people have not come to the knowledge of Christ yet and His saving power. They do not know Him (Jesus), let alone accept Him as their Lord and personal savior. Despite the fact that they find themselves in the ‘least’ category, does not negate the truth about their association with Christ. They are His (Christ), “through Him they were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” – John 1:3.

On the strength of the fact that they belong to Him despite their state of ‘least,’ God is expecting all His servants to extend a hand of help to these people (least brothers and sisters) out there in the world. Like the passage, the king in the position of God was counting on His faithful servants to extend a hand of help to the least brethren with whatever needs they had; be it water to quench their thirst, food to fill their hunger, cloth to cover their nakedness, balm to heal them and authority to set them free from prison.

Now to the church, our unleashed mandate after coming to the saving knowledge of Christ is a responsibility to carry the gospel to the world of least brethren in our sphere of influence. To go back into the world with the unleashed gospel of truth. The gospel is the help the world needs in this life. It has the power to fill all forms of insufficiency and gap created by sin. It mends the heart of the broken-hearted, to the thirsty and hungry man out there, who is desperately in need of help for the salvation of his soul, the gospel is your water and food. The gospel to the blinded soul is the light that brings vision and life. The gospel is the glory that covers the ‘nakedness’ of a depraved man, restoring him back to his original status in God. In the same way, the gospel is the authentic authority to set the imprisoned free from the perpetual bondage of sin slavery.

We can’t afford to sit on the fence aloof, doing nothing, pretending not to care about the dying souls out there. If we claim to love God, then we are to step out there and help others into the safe haven provided in Christ, lest we risk being thrown into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Through the saving knowledge of God, we have become disciples of Jesus, crossing from darkness to light, from a place of insufficiency to a place of sufficiency. Being charged to go into the world; a place where people are considered ‘least’ due to the fact that they have no Christ in them. To bring them to a place of light, freedom, joy, covering, satisfaction, etc., according to their needs in Christ Jesus.

David said in Psalm 119:105, ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,’ drawing our attention to the fact that the word of God, which is the unleashed message of God (Gospel), is everything we need in life. To David, it was a lamp for his feet, meaning a help in decision-making, and a light on my path; thus an insight and knowledge reference when a step is taken. If we believe in the gospel as the good news for the world, then we need to preach it, for the gospel not preached is no gospel. But a preached gospel has the divine power to meet anyone and everybody according to their needs both physically and spiritually in accordance with God’s riches in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:19. Whatever the unbelievers need is, the word of God has the solution to that.

To the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-42, the gospel to her became a living water that quenched her thirst from many years. Hitherto, she could not live with one man, let alone her own husband, now a satisfied soul, a firebrand evangelist who cared less about her past but rather the brightness of her future through the Messiah. Many of such least people like the Samaritan woman are out there, who need help from the unleashed church. Our task is therefore to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded and to assure them of His very presence to the very end of the age – Matthew 28:19-20 (emphasis mine).

God’s focus is on the ‘least’ among us, His delight is to see them saved through our unleashing agenda, that they may also come to the place of light, a place of salvation and eternal life, that none shall be lost. For this reason, He is counting on us to help these ones, by going to them (helping them) with the gospel of truth, that quenches, feeds, clothes, heals, and sets free – ‘truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:40.

In conclusion, do not think of what to say, as you go out there to preach Christ. With faith, boldly declare the saving knowledge of Christ unto the world of ‘least’ and see how the Spirit of God provides answers through your message to the multitude who listens to you in Jesus’ name. Be rest assured faithful unleashed arrow (servant), as you wholeheartedly champion the heartbeat agenda of God, your labor will never go unrewarded. An inheritance prepared for you since the creation of the world awaits you, for truly you have done good to the Lord through your HELP to the ‘least’ in your sphere of influence. AMEN.

God bless you!

Written by Elder Owusu Sampah (Odikoman District)