Takeaway
God has taken it away.
John Stockton sits atop the steals leaderboard as the person with the most steals in all the National Basketball League history. John's position is so secure as the greatest takeaway master in NBA history; the next closest competitor (Jason Kidd) is almost 600 steals behind! That gap between the two athletes can be closed only with many NBA seasons. But even with how impressive John Stockton's dominance in NBA steals is, his aptitude for the takeaway is nowhere near as impressive as God's abilities in the takeaway area.
The greatest takeaway ever committed was when God, through the sacrifice of His sinless, perfect Son Jesus Christ, took away the condemnation of sin and the power of death from the lives of those who believe.
In Paul's letter to the believers in Colossae, the Apostle corrects the church about returning again to the dead traditions from which they had been freed through the gospel of Jesus. He admonishes the reader not to return to the human rules but to continue in the liberty granted through the Spirit of God. Just before making this admonition, Paul reminds the people of the gift that has been given to them, or rather, the burden that has been removed from them.
It is a glorious reminder and one that is worth receiving today. Paul writes, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive in Christ. God forgave us all our sins." The uncircumcision of the flesh spoken of in this scripture refers to the heart of the sinner. The Apostle is pointing out that death comes from having a heart that has not been redeemed; its sinful way is not dealt with and cut away. But we, those saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, must remember that God has removed this death from us by forgiving our sins and making us alive in His son, Jesus.
The Apostle says, "Having canceled the charges of legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." Praise God! Alleluia! Glory be to our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! This legal indebtedness literally refers to the debt that we, every one of us, have to the Law. Our debt is not to the statutes and legislation of man but to the Law of God established before time or humans existed. The Law that requires blood to cover sin and makes death the end result of sin. We were indebted to that Law, having been born into human existence.
But God, in His kindness and love, sent His son to pay the penalty, to fulfill the Law, and to cancel the indebtedness of every person who believes! God canceled the charges. There is, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ. The indebtedness no longer exists. The books are wiped clean, and we are alive, free from the debt and death that comes from sin. God, the greatest of all in takeaways, has removed from His children, those who rest on the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the condemnation which stood against us. Sin no longer condemns, and death no longer rules. Jesus Christ took it and, "nailing to the cross," made the sacrifice to set believers free! Praise be to Jesus! There is no one like our God!
So, believer, give God praise today! Your great takeaway has occurred. Jesus Christ, your Savior, has freed you from indebtedness and taken away your sin and the death accompanying it. You are free!
So, nonbeliever, your skepticism and doubt keep you from this great takeaway. There is only one way to be free. There is only one way to have your debts paid. There is only one sacrifice to be made. Jesus made the sacrifice necessary on a cross many years ago. The cancellation of your personal debt to the Law requires the sacrifice of your doubt, your skepticism, and your selfishness. You have to put down what you've put up to block out God, even your religion, and accept the love and sacrifice of your Savior. Simple as that.