“He Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe” – Meaning

This phrase is a reference to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It highlights the concept that Jesus took on the punishment for sin, even though He Himself was sinless.

Breaking It Down:

  1. The Debt = Sin
    • In the Bible, sin is often compared to a debt that must be paid.
    • Romans 6:23“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
    • This means that sin leads to spiritual death, and we as humans cannot pay this debt on our own.
  2. Jesus Had No Sin
    • 2 Corinthians 5:21“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
    • Jesus, being perfect and without sin, did not owe any penalty for Himself.
  3. He Paid Our Debt on the Cross
    • Colossians 2:14“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
    • Through His death, Jesus took the punishment that we deserved and paid our debt in full.
  4. A Gift We Could Never Earn
    • Ephesians 2:8-9“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
    • Salvation is a free gift—we don’t earn it, but we receive it through faith in Christ.

Summary:

  • Jesus paid the price for our sins even though He Himself had no sin.
  • His sacrifice was out of love and grace, giving us the opportunity for eternal life.
  • Just like someone paying off another person’s debt, Jesus paid for our salvation so that we could be free from sin’s consequences.

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