Bible

Jesus Died to Cancel the Record of Debt Against Us

Why Did Jesus Die

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Col 2:13-15)

The divine math is terrible and terrifying.

  • Our iniquities make a separation between ourselves and God (Isa 59:1-2)
  • The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23)
  • All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)
  • Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22)

As sinners–guilty of cosmic treason–we are dead in our trespasses, separated from the Source of light, alienated from the fellowship of life, having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph 2:11-12). There is an indisputable record of debt against us–a debt that we could not repay over the course of 10,000 lifetimes. Without the shedding of blood there will be no forgiveness of sins.

The greatest news the world will ever hear is this: Jesus, the Son of God, died to cancel the record of debt against us. Jesus has secured victory over death, the grave, all rulers and authorities. The victory of Jesus has opened the door to victory in Jesus!

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col 2:11-12)

Yes, the divine math concerning sin is terrible and terrifying, but the story–your story–does not have to end in tragedy. In Jesus Christ, your debt can be canceled and recorded as PAID IN FULL.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Cor 9:15)


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