COLOSSIANS 2:14

“having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

My wife and I have a home mortgage. I assume most people either have one themselves or have had in the past. This mortgage legally binds us to pay off a debt to the mortgage holder. If we fail to pay our monthly payment, we risk the loss of our home. My dad always told me to make sure I always paid my home loan because you got to have a roof over your head. That’s good advice.

This “certificate of debt” Paul refers to in today’s verse is a lot more serious than my home loan. This debt was one I could not pay, and the consequences of nonpayment was damnation. The enemy is constantly accusing us, is he not? But thanks be to God, He sent His Son Jesus to pay a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. I love how Paul ends this verse – “having nailed it to the cross.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “certificate of debt” only occurs right here in today’s verse. It is the Greek word cheirographon which “refers to a handwritten document, particularly a legal or financial document such as a certificate of debt or a bond. In the context of the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the record of debt or the legal demands that stand against humanity due to sin.” (Strong’s Lexicon)

Satan held the certificate of debt in his greedy, little hands, just waiting to claim our soul for hell. But Jesus took care of that debt. All we have to do is surrender to Jesus, claim that freedom from debt and live eternally with Him in heaven. Satan cannot stand that, but he is powerless to undo that contract we have with Jesus.

So, if we have such a gift from Jesus, what should we do with it? Should we hoard it and not share it with anyone? Or should we tell everyone we meet about it? Unless they hear from someone about the freedom they can have in Christ, Satan will claim them. None of us want that, even for our worst enemy. Share the good news of your cancelled debt today.

O Lord, You have released me from the penalty of sin through the payment of the debt I owed. Praise Your holy name