“By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14
One way to understand your sin is to think of it as a debt you owe God. Every sin you commit is an act of rebellion against His righteous authority as your Creator. Regardless of whether you consider it a big deal or not, rebellion is an act of war, an offense against your good God. Each person accumulates a massive debt against the Lord throughout their life. Sinning is part of our fundamental nature – it’s both something we can’t help do and also the thing we most desire to do.
This record of debt is what makes it impossible for us to ever bridge the separation between ourselves and the absolute sinless holiness of God. We can’t ever be good enough, kind enough, generous enough, or moral enough to work through our personal Mt. Everest of sin-related debt to God. Many in our culture fail to even realize that mountain of debt exists, but it does. Others are so acutely aware of it they can’t imagine ever escaping from it. They’re absolutely crushed by its weight and live in deep despair.
Here’s the good news: Jesus Christ died to erase your personal record of debt! Jesus, the innocent and eternal Son of God, was nailed to a cross on your behalf and with Him was nailed the record of your sin debt. Jesus died and rose again so that all who believe in Him are forgiven their mountain of debt by God’s grace. There’s nothing so terrible God won’t forgive it in Christ. There’s no mountain of debt too high or record of debt too long that God won’t forgive it in Christ!
The only thing God can’t forgive is dying without recognizing that record of debt and asking His forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you accepted Christ and been forgiven? What’s holding you back?