- A Satisfied Debt
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1
A block away from Times Square in New York City is a billboard-sized stack of numbers advancing at a rapid clip. The National Debt Clock is constantly updated to show the current United States national debt. It also shows each American’s share of the debt. As of March 18, just two days ago, your share was $114,217, or per household $310,671. If the government came to collect from your family today, you would probably find it as impossible to pay as 90 percent or more of the U.S. population.
While this is an enormous financial debt, each person, each household, in this nation or anywhere else in the world, has an unpayable spiritual debt. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us, “Forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:12). Sin is a debt you owe to Heaven, which you cannot pay. Max Lucado wrote, “The algebra of heaven reads something like this: Heaven is a perfect place for perfect people, which leaves us in a perfect mess.”
Paul stated in Colossians 2:13-14, “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.” Only Christ Jesus could pay your debt.
A hymn written by Elvina Hall in 1865 states it perfectly, “Jesus paid it all.” And “all” means every last cent! Thank the Lord for this incredible gift today. Then, intercede for all who work with monetary policy in the U.S. government, that they would know the great Debt Payer for themselves.
Today’s Verse: Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 2:5-14
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 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, 12 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. 13 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, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
