Since the earliest of time God has planned a better way for us to pay the debts we occurred when we could not fulfill the law of Moses. Paul wrote, “When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law” (Galatians 4:4-5).
Jesus fulfills legal demand of the law
The full legal demand of the law was fulfilled upon the body of Jesus Christ. In His work on the cross, Jesus was made sin for us. He took on the corrupted nature of flesh and blood, the wrongs of humanity, as well as the consequences of their sins. He was held under condemnation, locked in a prison house for three days and nights so He could pay the debt we created by our inability to fulfill the law of God as given to Moses.
Because of His Holy human nature, Jesus could, through His death, make atonement for us. He died a substitute for us, paying down the legal debt we could never pay.
Having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
1. Presented His blood as an eternal offering
Upon His resurrection, Jesus presented His blood as an eternal offering to the Father for all our transgressions―for all time: “When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands …, not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11-12).
2. Freed us from the curse of the law
Jesus broke the power of Satan, destroyed his works, and redeemed us from the curse of the law. The enemy of God no longer has the right to accuse or condemn us: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13).
No more guilt and shame
Because of the work of Jesus on the cross, God gave us a better covenant. Now we can be reconciled with each other, with ourselves, and with God. We can be freed from the heavy burden of guilt and shame. And we no longer have to get blood from our self or someone else in order to pay down our debts.
- There is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness. For the Law made nothing perfect, and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope through which we draw near to God (Hebrews 7:19).
- … through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).
Christianity is the only religion that offers us a way to resolve our sin issue without having to make sacrifices for it, try harder, or work for it. It is a free gift given to those who believe. By putting our faith in Jesus, we can enjoy freedom from guilt, draw near to God and function in a new and living way.
Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)
… we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us … let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Reflection Point
- What makes you feel guilty or ashamed?
- Have you received forgiveness for all your mistakes and failures?