"And you being dead in your trespasses.....He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all your trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us,which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14
In Paul's day the 'handwriting of requirements, or the written code that was against the debtor, could mean two things. It could refer to the record of debts or crimes which stood against an offender's name; or it could refer to the IOU's or promissory notes unpaid by the offender.
Under certain circumstances, those requirements could be cancelled or annulled. To indicate this the record was either sponged away, blotted out, or a nail was driven through them to indicate the power to condemn had been cancelled.
The executed criminal who paid for his offenses by death would be buried and all the records of his debts and crimes. Nothing remained to perpetuate the charges against his name. Death cancelled it all.
Paul saw in the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross the accounts and records of every guilty sinner, Jew and Gentile, nailed to the cross. The blood of Jesus shed upon the cross blotted out the whole record of broken Law, so that it could never be brought up against the offender again.
What does that mean to us? When Satan brings counterfeit charges, as forgiven sinners, we can shout with joy,"The account is totally settled! Jesus paid it all."
APPROPRIATE WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR YOU: When you are troubled by Satan's accusations about your past, confess and declare you believe Jesus forgives you and clears you of the guilt of your sins. Believe He took your guilt Himself to the cross.
If the Accuser still condemns you, write on a piece of paper, 'All My Sins'. Fasten it on a doorpost or somewhere visible. Every time you see it remember your Savior was nailed to the cross to cancel your debt. Declare: "Jesus paid it all, hallelujah!"
PRAYER: Thank you Father. Jesus shed His blood to cancel my debt. What a great feeling to be free of the weight of guilt! All I owe is undying gratitude to You. Amen