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“…having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14

Ah, tax season. Fun times. How do you play the tax game all year? Do you keep everything you can each payday in hopes of breaking even (or not owing too much) on April 15? Or do you let the government take bigger chunks with each check in anticipation of a fat return each Spring? (Well, not so much this year, I’m afraid.) Some of us just put our heads down and pay what we’re told, not thinking much about taxes (it’s just something that’s sure…like death, right?). Others of us know a lot, keeping up with our accountants—maybe even having thoughts about what a better/fairer plan for the IRS might be…like a flat tax for all. No matter what you pay or how you pay (from paychecks, purchases, or property), the fact of the matter is that we all owe.

Shifting from fiscal to spiritual, it’s also a fact that we all owe.

And friend, spiritually speaking, it’s a flat tax, so to speak: Everyone has the same debt and penalty coming—the debt of sin with a penalty of death (Romans 6:23). And no matter what games we play through our lives, we can’t decrease what is owed. Not by good works, big giving, or spotless church attendance. The balance sheet will never be in our favor—we cannot eradicate our debt by our own efforts.

Praise be to God, our debt has been canceled—paid in full when it was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14)! Jesus lived the perfect life we could not, dying the death we deserve as a penalty, and defeating death by rising from the dead three days later. If you’ve ever paid off a huge financial debt, you’ve experienced the relief and freedom that results…this is like that, only infinitely better! Because our spiritual debt is removed, it no longer impedes our life or sets the path to a bleak eternal future.

To take our (slightly flawed) tax analogy further…think about those years that you finished prepping your taxes to find out that not only is there nothing due from you, but you’re getting a huge refund! It feels like a lavish gift, doesn’t it (even though it’s your own money, sigh)? Believing that Jesus’ work on the cross counted for you and surrendering to Him as Savior and Lord not only pays the full debt you owe, but you are also given an inheritance in God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:12, 22; 1 Peter 1:3-4). The righteousness of Christ—His perfection and holiness—is credited to you (Romans 3:21-22, 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). Think about this…not only is your debt paid in full, you walk away infinitely wealthy, inheriting the eternal riches and glory of heaven! It’s kind of like your tax refund being a blank government check—giving you access to the US Treasury printing presses.

The weight of our sin debt is heavy. In fact, we cannot carry it, and we’ll never, ever be able to pay it. But God made a way. Jesus can take away your heavy burden of sin—and its penalty. It costs you nothing because it is a lavish gift of grace. So, this tax season, if you have not done it, hand over your certificate of debt to the Lord Jesus Christ. Be free of the penalty and bask in a glorious eternal inheritance.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to live the life I cannot and pay the debt I owe. Thank You that through Jesus I have been set free, not having to be weighed down by my sin any longer (Galatians 5:1; John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 3:17).”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life