Colossians 2:9–15 ‘He… cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness… nailing it to the cross.’ (vv13–14)
Have you ever had a debt dismissed? One moment you’re expected to pay back a sum – large or small – and the next, you’re given a reprieve.
Relief washes over you as you fill with gratitude. What felt like a burden weighing you down has been removed from your shoulders.
We can picture the amazement we might experience if someone says we no longer owe them a large amount of money, but we may sometimes take for granted the gift of salvation and redemption that God imparts to us.
The apostle Paul certainly doesn’t want the church at Colossae to forget, for he summarises the story of the good news in a matter of words.
He tells them that Christ forgives them their sins, cancelling their legal debt, even nailing it to the cross. What once they bore on their shoulders, He took onto His, that they might be free.
Paul then speaks of how in weakness and His death on the cross, Christ actually triumphs over the strong things of this world – the powers and authorities.
They who believe they hold the authority are shown to be wanting, as their power slips through their hands like melting butter.
The strong made weak, the weak given life eternal, the triumph of life over death – this is the heart of what we believe as Christians saved by the blood of Jesus.
How can you make these truths come alive to you this day? Perhaps as you prepare to go to sleep tonight, you can review the events of the day, asking Jesus to nail any debts you owe to the cross and giving thanks for the gift of new life. We’re no longer in the red, but free of what we owe!
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord Jesus Christ, please make real to me the great gift You have given to me by taking my sins upon Your shoulders. I want to be grateful, and free. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Release a debt that someone owes you – a favour, some money, perhaps even a bit of resentment you hold against them.
Scripture To Consider:
Deut. 28:12–13; Prov. 22:6–7; Rom. 13:8–19; Heb. 13:5–6
