Reflections on the Cross

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

What is sin?

Sin is missing the mark, violating God’s standard for human behavior. Scripture teaches us that everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23). And that the result of sin is death and separation from God (Romans 6:23).

Paul wrote this in Colossians 2:
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (vv. 13-14)

How many sins have been forgiven?
All.

What do I do to receive this forgiveness?
Come to Christ.

We read in 1 John 1:8-9: If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

“Uh-oh, I sinned again.” Yep: we all have, we all do.

So now what?
Come to Christ, confess my sins, receive forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving me, even while I am a sinner. Thank you for making it possible for me to be together with You, through the cross. Thank you for giving me victory over sin, and helping me grow out of sinful habits. Thank you for welcoming me into a conversation of confession when I do mess up. In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture References: Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.