Why Did Christ Suffer and Die? One striking reason is to cancel the record against us. In Colossians 2.13–14 the scripture says— “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
There is only hope in the sacrificial death of Christ. Because the “handwriting of ordinances”, or ‘record of our debt’ has been nailed to the cross of Christ. How foolish it is to think that our good deeds may one day outweigh our bad deeds.
Actually it’s pridefully arrogant to think that our good deeds may one day outweigh our bad deeds. Even our so-called ‘good’ deeds are defective. Do we do allour good deeds in joyful dependence on God? Do we do them with a view to making known His supreme worth? Which, by the way, is required— “…that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4.11) Notice “all things” there. Doesn’t the Bible say— “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14.23). It’s foolishness to think that our good deeds will outweigh our bad deeds before God. Without Christ-exalting faith, our ‘deeds’ signify nothing but rebellion. We were all spiritually dead in our sins. (Ephesians 2.1-3). We were cut off from God—dead! We are told— “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64.6a). Notice “all our…filthy rags”. Not good at all. Nasty in fact. Even our own life is temporary and meaningless because of our sin— “…and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64.6b).
To think that our good deeds may one day outweigh our bad deeds, is not the way God saves. God has a totally different way of saving sinners than by weighing their deeds. If we are saved from the consequences of our bad deeds, it will not be because they weighed less than our good deeds. There is no hope in our deeds.
If there is no hope in our deed, then what does God do? There is no salvation by balancing the records. There is only salvation by canceling records. In our text verse 14 syas— “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us [canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands], and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (the brackets are my notes). The record of our bad deeds, including our defective good deeds, must be blotted out—not balanced. This is what Christ suffered and died to accomplish… a blotting out. It’s a list of what you’re guilty of. A record of your sin. Like a list on parchment. Is that not scary? Praise the Lord for the believer in Jesus’ sacrificial substitution, Christ abolished those records through what Jesus did on the cross.
The statement: “blotting out” is exaleiphó which means blot out, wipe out, plaster over, cancel, or literally… wiped out the handwriting. This refers to the debtors record that the indebted person had against them. Who does this refer to? Romans 3.23 says— “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” So all of us. All of humanity owes God an unplayable debt for violating His law. Therefore all are under the sentence of death— “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6.23). These deeds are against us. It’s proof of our sinfulness. So Jesus— “…took it out of the way…” (Colossians 2.14c). He took out of the way, so it wouldn’t be seen as something from owed to God. The only way to be released from the debt is for the deeds to be blotted with ink, out of sight. Much like marking over a handwritten list with a permanent marker. They happened, but they are blotted out to not be seen. Then, the passage says He nailed the list to the cross. The cross was a symbol of capital punishment.
Jesus Himself— “took it out of the way and nailed it to the cross”. Our sin? Yes— “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5.21). The blotting of our record was “nailed to the cross” by Jesus. He became our sin record. He blotted, by His own death, not with ink, but with His own blood!
Parchment was not nailed to the cross—Jesus was. So Jesus became my record of deeds. He endured my record. And He removed it— “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103.12). Notice “removed…from us”. They are gone.
He and He alone is my only hope. And faith in Him, is my only way to God.
Revelation 22.17— “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Come to Jesus. He is the only way. If you have come to Him, tell others of it so they too can find peace in Him.