Paid in Full

He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14

Picture this. Your car needs major repairs, so it is not wise to invest any further into it. However, you do not have the funds necessary to purchase a different car. Unfortunately, your only option is to take out a loan to pay for the vehicle. You are stressed with the added debt and unsure how you will make the payments. You sign the papers and leave the car dealer with a car. Within a few days of driving your car home, you receive an envelope in the mail from the car dealer. When you open the envelope, you find the paper car note with a big stamp - PAID IN FULL! How would you respond? 

Debt levels continue to reach an all-time high in the United States. Check out these astounding numbers!

As of early 2025, the average American adult carries approximately $22,713 in personal debt, excluding mortgages. This figure encompasses various debt types, including credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and personal loans.1

The total U.S. household debt reached approximately $17.5 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023, with mortgages comprising the largest portion. Credit card debt alone accounted for $1.13 trillion, marking a record high. 2

Imagine if all this debt were wiped away! If that happened, it would be similar, but pale in comparison, to what Christ did for each of us with His death on the cross. Our sin created a debt we could never repay. Every selfish act, every prideful thought, every failure to love as we should—it all adds up. But at the cross, Jesus didn't make a down payment. He didn’t negotiate a settlement. He paid it in full. It was done. Accomplished. Once and for all.

The Bible says in John 19:30, “When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” He nailed our sins to the cross, as our key verse says. The penalty for our sin debt should be ours, but He paid the penalty instead.  We did nothing to desire this favor. This is called grace. When we accept His gift of grace, we no longer owe. There’s no monthly payments, no penalties, no guilt to carry, no acts to perform. 

The cross declares: You are free. Not because our sins were excused, but because they were fully accounted for and covered. We can walk in the freedom of grace. This is not the right to do what we want, but the ability to do what we ought. Without Christ, we are slaves to sin, unable to do what is right. Christ's death on the cross set us free from the penalty and power of sin. 

Even though our debt has been stamped ‘paid in full,’ our actions still have consequences. Because our sin hurts our relationship with Christ and has consequences, we should be motivated to flee Satan’s temptations.

It is challenging to fully understand the extent of what Christ did for us, but we need to live in gratitude for it and share it with others who have not experienced it! By the way, I sure do wish someone would pay off my mortgage!

Call to Action

The verses outlined below are commonly called the Romans' Road to Salvation. Underline these verses in your Bible to use in leading others to Christ. Practice sharing these verses with a friend so you are ready to share them with those who need their sins paid in full. 

Digging Deeper

Study and memorize the Romans Road verses: Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13.

Pray

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take on my sins. Convict me of my sins and help me confess and repent. Thank you for grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Lyrics to Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.

Refrain:

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow'r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb. [Refrain]

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save,"
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]

Baptist Hymnal, 1991

1https://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/average-american-debt-statisitics.html

2https://money.com/average-american-personal-debt-amount/?

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens