Paid In Full

God saved me at a very early age. However, during my early teenage years, I struggled deeply with guilt. I often felt as though there was no way I could truly be forgiven. I bought into the Accuser’s lies, and it was an awful experience. Over time, I’ve come to realize that I was not alone in that struggle. Since entering pastoral ministry, I have seen how common this battle is among believers. Many Christians know the gospel in their minds, yet when accusation arise in our conscience, it can be hard to find peace.

In our text from Sunday, Paul gives us a promise. One that, if stored up in our hearts, will steady us the next time we encounter the Accuser. The promise I want to consider is this: “Having canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). In this single verse, Paul tells us that when Christ died at Calvary, the record of debt that stood against us was canceled, set aside, and nailed to the cross.

What did Paul mean by a “record of debt”? The word translated this way can literally mean “something written by hand.” In the ancient world, however, it commonly referred to a bond, a legal IOU, or a certificate of indebtedness. Paul is using courtroom language to describe our condition before God. The record of debt does not refer to sin in general, but to the legal liability we owe to God because of our sin. Prior to life in Christ, this record testifies against us. It would be like walking into a courtroom where there is irrefutable evidence of every sin you have ever committed. The “legal demands” are the penalty attached to breaking God’s law. This is every person’s condition outside of Christ. The law condemns us, and on our own, we have no way to justify ourselves.

Yet Paul says this record of debt has been canceled. The word he uses means to wipe off, blot out, or erase. In the ancient world, ink often sat on the surface of papyrus and could be wiped clean. That is the image Paul gives us. For those in Christ, the charges of guilt brought about by breaking God’s law have been erased.

It is important to understand what this does not mean. It does not mean that God simply overlooked sin or lowered His standard. It does not mean that justice was ignored. Our debt was erased through the cross of Christ. God’s holiness was never set aside for our salvation. Instead, He punished our sin by laying it upon His sinless Son. This perfect sacrifice satisfied the legal demands that stood against us. That is justification. Through faith, we receive Christ’s righteousness and the forgiveness of sins. We are freed from the penalty of the law.

Paul also says that God “set aside” this record of debt. The phrase carries the idea of removing the legal document that once stood between us and God. It has been taken out of the middle. It no longer stands as a barrier. Not only has our debt been canceled, it has been removed entirely. Our record has been expunged. Through His death on the cross, Christ removes the dividing wall of hostility between us and God. If this record of debt has truly been removed, why do we continue to live as though it still stands between us whenever we feel accused?

Finally, Paul says this record of debt was nailed to the cross. In Roman crucifixion practice, a charge would be written out and nailed above the condemned person. The posted charge explained the reason for the execution. Paul says our record of debt was fastened to the cross of Christ. The legal document that stood against us was transferred to Him as our substitute. He did not die for His crimes; He died under ours.

When the Accuser whispers in our ears, he is appealing to a document that no longer exists. The record of debt has been canceled. It has been removed. It has been nailed to the cross. What has been erased cannot be reintroduced. There is no injustice with God, and there is no double jeopardy in His court. The next time condemnation rises, do not argue with your feelings. Remember the verdict...our case has already been closed.