Paid in Full

Why the Cross? 

•  Because we were guilty of a debt we could not pay 
  • v.13 – “And when you were dead in trespasses”
    • Like Ephesians 2:1 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins”
    • Paul preached the same Gospel to all.
      • The Ephesians had not been more dead than the Colossians, nor the Colossians more dead than the Ephesians 
      • Muslims in Syria are not more dead in sin than cultural Christians in Madison, MS, nor are cultural Christians in Madison, MS more dead than Muslims in Syria 
      • Dead is dead, sin is sin, guilt is guilt 
  • v. 13 – “and in the uncircumcision of your flesh”
    • Like the reminder in Ephesians 2:11 – “So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands.” 
      • Paul preached specific application of the Gospel to each context 
        • Consider Colossians 2:11 – “11 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ,” 
          • Illustration: Beads from the witchdoctor to ward off evil spirits; we don’t wear beads from witchdoctors, but sometimes people will wear a cross for the same reason 
  • “But God” – Paul says in Ephesians 2:4 
    • “he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.” – Is how Paul says it here in Col 2:13 

 How? 

• To pay our debt in full 
  • 14 – the main point is found in a single word in the Greek that is translated “he has taken it away”
    • John the Baptist declared it 
      • The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29.
    • The Apostle John reminds us 
      • You know that he was revealed so that he might take away sins,, and there is no sin in him. 1 John 3:5 
    • And the great irony of the Bible reveals it 
      • They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” John 19:15 
        • How ironic that they yelled the word “αίρω αίρω” “cruicify him” to the one whose crucifixion would “αίρω” their sins 
    • The Tense of this verb is important – being found in the Perfect Tense in the Greek. What this means is the action has not only been completed, but has ongoing effect.  
      • In other words Jesus did not take away the sins of people up to the point of his death, leaving those afterwards with needing a new way to have their sins taken away, nor was his death only for those living at the point of his death and afterwards, leaving those who believed God’s promise of a Messiah to remain in their sin.  
      • His taking away of sin was for all, past, present, and future, who believe in Him 
      • But what about you personally? This truth speaks to the individuals as well 
        • When you trusted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, He removed your guilt, guilt for what you has already done, guilt for what you are doing, and guilt he knew you would incur later. He removed it all. And it remains removed.  
          • Some of you desperately need that reminder – he has taken away your guilt. He has taken away your guilt. He has taken away your guilt. He will never hold your guilt against you again. You are forgiven. You are saved. You are loved.  
• By erasing it and nailing it to the cross 
  • “It” is “the certificate of debt” 
    • the certificate - χειρόγραφον, ου, τό - a hand-written document, specif. a certificate of indebtedness, account, record of debts 
      • Only occurrence in the NT 
  • Erasing it  
    • He erased - ἐξαλείφω - to remove so as to leave no trace, remove, destroy, obliterate 
      • Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, Acts 3:19 
  • Nailing it 
    • To the cross (I will go up to the cross and nail a sheet of paper – stage lighting)