Through Jesus, God Let Go of All The Charges Recorded Against You!

“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 NLT.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “the weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

God is the almighty, and stronger. He offers you the forgiveness of all your sins, trespasses, and crimes. Bible emphatically says our sins and trespasses are not just against another person or people, but it is ultimately against the Lord God. David said in Psalms 51:4, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned.” This he said regarding his sins of adultery and murder. Joseph said in Genesis 39:9, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Beloved, this is how it works. God grants forgiveness in and through the death, and burial resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s sacrificial lamb, atonement or appeasement for your sins and guilt. When God freely forgives you, it was not cheap for Him. Remember, it was not cheap for Jesus Christ, the Son of God either. It did cost big and huge.

Bible says in 1 Peter 2:24, “Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds.” There was a significant exchange that happened on the cross. The Lord Jesus placed or wore your sins on his perfect body. In turn, He exchanged his righteousness (His right, perfect and sinless record) for you.

Our today’s insight says, Jesus “canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Did you notice three verbs-canceled, took it away, and nailed? All the records of charges against you that you committed on this earth –small, big, and in-between-were canceled when Jesus died in your place. He took all the charges against you away. Thirdly, He nailed all those charges against you to His cross. Now God offers a clean and perfect life for you in and through the person and work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1). God does not charge those things against you because He charged it to Jesus. This is the depth of forgiveness and love God gives you when you come to His Son, Jesus Christ, and trust in him as your savior and Lord. Not only does God forgive you, and make you a brand new creation, but also He accepts you as His child. You become a child of God. (John 1:11-12).

1 Peter 2:22-23 says, “He (Jesus) is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” NLT. The Lord says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31). Romans 12:18 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

You see, through Jesus on the cross, God let go of all the charges that were against you. Now you forgive others from your heart and let it all go. He is the example for you to follow. In other words, now you have the empowerment to forgive one another just as God also forgave you in Jesus Christ. Cross commissions you to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” How much does God forgive you? How vast are God’s kindness and compassion that caused him to forgive you? You do the same to one another. Christ’s atoning sacrifice for you is the model for you to follow.

Beloved, I believe forgiving a person that hurt you deeply is not easy but hard. However, the truth is this- you would not be free to move on with your life and goals until you forgive from your heart. You would not have the blessings of peace either. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks your freedom and peace to fly high again. It is your choice. You do not need to wait for his or her apology or confession. The longer you wait for their acknowledgment, the more you become disabled. The faster you forgive and move on by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit inside you, the easier you would get out of your prison and bondage. Your freedom and peace come out of your readiness and willingness to let it go and leave the case to the Lord God.

Beloved, got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus carried my sins and mistakes on his body on the cross so that I can be right and perfect in your sight. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. Now I learned you give me the empowerment to forgive others just as you forgave me. Help me Lord not retaliate and revenge when I am insulted and suffered. Instead, please help me to leave the case in your hands because you always judge fairly. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”