FORGIVEN AND FREE

March 20, 2026

Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13b-14 NLT

When Jesus died on the cross, He canceled out our sin. When crucifixion was used as punishment, it conveyed rejection and shame – an extreme form of cancel culture. Jesus, who had never sinned, took all the shame and sin of humanity on Himself so that we could be free (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus cancels sin, not people. A woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus by a group wanting to kill her. Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7b). When the group had gone, Jesus said to the woman, “‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more'” (John 8:10-11 NLT).

When Jesus makes you free, you are truly free (John 8:36).

Jesus is reaching out a nail-scarred hand to draw you out of any pit you might be in.

Instead of being dismissed, you are included.
Instead of being ostracized, you are embraced.
Instead of being rejected, you are forgiven.

Jesus doesn’t condemn you. Instead, He frees you.

DEFINITION: can·cel, verb

To destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of. To bring to nothingness: destroy.

PRAY THIS OUT LOUD:God, thank You for sending Jesus to rescue me. Because I’ve been forgiven much, I can love much (Luke 7:47). I forgive others because You forgave me (Ephesians 4:32), in Jesus’ Name, amen.