Jesus Cancels our Legal Indebtedness

Jesus cancels our legal indebtedness as sinners which is why we must come to Him first…

I once worked for a non-profit organization that aimed to clear low income American citizens of their criminal record and history. Today, I understand why the Lord put it in my heart to share the Gospel while working in this position. The Lord Jesus wants men and women to clear themselves with Him first and we help do this by spreading the Gospel. 

“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 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, 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. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When Jesus was being crucified, He was crucified along with two criminals. 

“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭32‬-‭34

There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.””

‬Luke 23:‭38‬-‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Which criminal are you?