Colossians 2:11-15
Nailed It to the Cross
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11In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
12And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
14having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Berean Standard Bible
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Paul describes the change Christ has made in His people. They have received a circumcision performed by Christ, not human hands: the putting off of the sinful nature. Their deepest need required His work within them.
They were buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through faith in God's power, the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Their new life is bound to their Lord's death and resurrection.
When they were dead in trespasses, God made them alive with Christ and forgave all their sins. Paul pictures the debt against them as a record canceled, removed and nailed to the cross. The charge that condemned them has been dealt with through Christ's death.
The cross is also the place of victory over the powers and authorities. God disarmed them, exposed their defeat and triumphed over them. What appeared to be Christ's humiliation became the means of their overthrow.
The believers' life, forgiveness and freedom from condemning powers come through Christ. They can trust the One who has acted so decisively for them rather than seeking another means of spiritual protection.
Questions
1 What circumcision have the believers received in Christ?
AnswerThey have received His work of putting off the sinful nature, a circumcision performed by Christ rather than human hands.
2 How are they joined to Christ's death and resurrection?
AnswerThey were buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through faith in God's power, which raised Jesus from the dead.
3 What does the canceled record of debt picture?
AnswerIt pictures the removal of the charge against them through the cross. God has forgiven their trespasses and made them alive with Christ.
4 What happened to the powers and authorities at the cross?
AnswerGod disarmed them and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through the cross. Their power does not surpass Christ's victory.
What This Means for Us
When guilt over a confessed sin returns, distinguish the need to make something right from the fear that Christ's forgiveness is incomplete. Repair harm where you can, while trusting the cross as the ground of pardon.
We also need not seek protection from spiritual powers apart from Christ. Pray to Him, trust His victory and bring your fears into the fellowship of believers who will help you hold to His word.
Prayer
Father, thank You for making us alive with Christ and forgiving our sins. Help us trust the victory of His cross, turn from sin and rest in the pardon You have given. Amen.