Main Thought
No one wants to be trapped in debt. We can owe debt for a variety of different reasons. These reasons include violations that we commit (like an amount owed because of a traffic ticket), or it can come as a result of damage we’ve caused. The Bible lovingly yet clearly informs us that we owe an eternal debt to God because of our sin. Sin is any word, thought, or deed that prioritizes some selfish desire at the expense of love for God and others. Sin breaks right relationship. We all owe a debt to God because of the damage caused by our sin.
But God loves us, and He didn’t want us to pay for this debt ourselves. Jesus Christ came to pay for our debt in our place! Jesus lived a perfect life of love by God’s standards. Then, He went to the Cross to pay the price for our sin. His sacrifice was immeasurable; however, when He rose again, He proved that His payment was sufficient! We can all experience the freedom of redemption, and the promise of eternal life, when we believe in Him and follow Him.
Main Passages
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
- John 19:30
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
- Romans 3:23
23 For the wages of sin is death…
- Romans 6:23a
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
- Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV)
Discussion Questions
Why do you think our sin incurs a debt to God?
Dr. Rice Broocks, a co-founder of the Every Nation family of churches and campus ministries, defines the gospel like this: “The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died—in our place. Three days later He rose from the dead, proving that He is the Son of God and offering the gift of salvation to those who repent and believe in Him.”
Do you believe the truth of the gospel as summarized by this statement? Why or why not?
Jesus redeemed us from an eternal debt. In light of His sacrifice for us, how should you make full use of the freedom Jesus gave you?