“…When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
Ephesians 4: 8
“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” Colossians 2:14
Two (2) things must not be missed here, in this text:
First, Jesus is the one doing the nailing at the cross.
While it is true that He allowed the Roman soldiers to pin Him down and pierce His hands and feet, fastening His body to the wood of the cross, it must be noted also that in actual reality, ultimately, The Lord Jesus was in control of the entire situation.
The Lord Jesus prophesied of the cross before He ever hung on it; he also reminded His disciples that no one was able to take His life from Him, but rather he would lay it down for His people. Jesus had come into the world for a purpose, and that purpose was to die, the just for the unjust, on the cross. Ultimately, it was Jesus who was nailing our sins to His cross when He allowed Himself to be crucified.
Secondly, Jesus’ action on the cross accomplished something definite. He did not just die so that some people might potentially be saved. When Jesus was crucified, the long rap sheet of our sins was blotted out; HE NAILED it to His cross. Therefore, those for whom Christ died are certainly saved, having no more condemnation against them.
Are you among those whose sins Jesus took upon himself? Did Jesus Christ nail your criminal record to His cross? Then your record is clean and your sins have been blotted out.
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead”
Now you and I are BURIED with Him in death. Put off the old man! We shall consciously work in putting off the body of sin of the flesh (soulish affections and reasonings).
“…hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”
Settled! All your sins, past, present and future are all forgiven!
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”
He, the Lord, has SPOILED, that means SACKED and VANQUISHED the erstwhile powerful strongman, Satan and his army of fallen angels and demons.
“…When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
Thirdly, It does not matter whether you see yourself as a weakling or unreliable child of God, He won the battle for you and I! We are related to General Jesus Christ by the blood of the lamb that was slain for us. Let us, now, in ecstatically manifested joy, make an open show of our Lord’s triumph! Sing praises with careless abandon!
He nailed it for us! Walk without fear or anxiety…He nailed it! No more condemnation.
Good morning.
Our goal is God.
The Liteman T, Cape Town, RSA