In this post we will explore two other key texts that explain forgiveness through the lens of debt removal. Again, take note of the financial language throughout these two passages.
Luke 7:41-50: Debt, Forgiveness, and Love
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven-for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
The parable and the factual story drive home the same point. When we grasp the grace of God in removing our debt we are compelled to gratitude and love. Lavish grace is reciprocated by lavish love. The journey of obedience into the first and greatest commandment is directed, motivated, and deepened by grasping the wonder of God’s forgiveness.
Colossians 2:13-14: The Cross and Debt
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
In this passage the record of debt likely refers to the condemnation of the law that hangs over our heads due to our transgressions. The text is explicit that the record of debt against us is canceled through the cross. As Christ is nailed to the cross our condemnation and debt is exhausted.