Page 118 - Laying Down the Law

given to indwell man is superior to the Law that Moses brought down from the
mountain. The former work points to the latter which is far more substantial, able to
make men perfect.
The Spirit of Christ goes far beyond instruction. The Spirit does more than
serving as the voice of God to the saints. He is the source of all power. By virtue of the
Spirit of Christ residing in man, the power that is needed to obey the Father and live
a life as a pleasing son is finally realized.

Luke 24:49
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of
Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that works in us...

People of God, it was necessary that the Law be instituted for a time until that
perfect Tutor and Helper should come. We must be released from the former to be
joined to the latter. The teacher and guide of man’s childhood must give way to the
One who can present all men perfect in Christ.
The Law was given to restrain men who were slaves to sin and to point them to
their Redeemer and Savior. Those who have been born of the Spirit of Christ are no
longer slaves to sin. They were formerly dead spiritually, but in Christ they have been
made alive. It is inappropriate for a spiritual man to be ruled by the tutor to the carnal
man. The spiritual man needs a Helper that can bring him to perfection. The Law
makes nothing perfect.
Having begun your life as a son of God by the Spirit, it is folly to believe that a
return to a Law of fleshly ordinances will make one perfect.

Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect
by the flesh?

Hebrews 9:9-10
For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the
consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with
food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies - physical regulations that
were in effect only until a better system could be established.
[New Living Translation]

The King James Bible calls the physical regulations of the Law “carnal
ordinances.” The New King James and New American Standard describe them as
“fleshly ordinances.” It is these regulations of the Law that Paul is referring to when