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. (Colossians 2:13-14)
Beloved,
At the end of every athletic season, one of the team members receives the most improved player award.
They receive the award because they demonstrate the greatest athletic improvement on their team. It is healthy to look back at the end of a season to reflect on how far one has come in their sport. Even more so, it is healthy for the believer to consistently reflect on how far one has come in being united with Christ.
We had a record of debt that stood against us. Our debt cried out for justice and punishment. God would have been right and good to answer that cry with our destruction. But in His Mercy, God answered that cry by canceling our debt through His own Son. We no longer stand condemned because our debt has been canceled by Jesus Christ. He set it aside, nailing it to the cross.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! / My sin, not in part but the whole, / Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, / Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Beloved, we by far have received the most improved player award. We were dead, but are now alive in Christ. We are the most improved, not because of our works done in righteousness, but because we have been identified with the One who is righteous. We have traded all our dirty rags and have been clothed with the righteous robes of Christ. Beloved, rejoice that you are in Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave
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