Joy! The Debt is Paid in Person
Matthew 1:18-25, Galatians 4:4-7
Senior Pastor David Rose explores three crucial aspects of Christ’s coming:
- His human experience
- His perfect life under the law
- and His ultimate mission of redemption.
God Himself came to pay our debt in person. It’s a message of joy for those seeking truth as well as believers struggling to find joy in their faith. Listen in to learn how God’s seemingly “inefficient” plan was actually the perfect solution to humanity’s greatest need.
Key Takeaways
- God sent Jesus to experience the physical.
- God sent Jesus to abide by the legal.
- God sent Jesus to fulfill the covenantal.
- God gives us help through His Son’s mission—we live with hope.
- God sent us a hero for our liberation—we live with joy.
Further Study
Take some time to journal your thoughts on these questions, particularly focusing on how Christ’s coming as both God and man impacts your daily life. Consider discussing these questions with other believers, sharing how the reality of Christ paying our debt in person shapes your understanding of both salvation and daily discipleship. Remember, Jesus didn’t just come to pay our debt, but to transform our identity and give us new value through His redemption.
- Matthew 1:23 prophesies Jesus as “Emmanuel” (God with us), and Galatians 4:6 promises us God sends “the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” How does the reality of God’s presence impact your daily walk? What practical difference does it make to move beyond rule-following into a living, vibrant relationship with Him?
- Galatians 4:5 speaks of our adoption as sons through Christ’s redemption (cf. Romans 8:15-17 and Matthew 6:9). How does knowing you are God’s adopted child reshape your understanding of your worth and your responsibilities? How does this parallel what Pastor David said about Jesus giving us new value?
- Galatians 4:4 emphasizes Christ’s full humanity: He was “born of a woman.” Hebrews 4:15 assures us He can “sympathize with our weaknesses,” and 1 Timothy 2:5 calls Him our mediator. How does Jesus’ experience of human life bring you comfort and encouragement in your specific struggles today?
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outThe heart of the gospel is that we owe a debt we could never pay, but Jesus came to pay a debt He didn’t owe. We are all slaves to sin, bound by a spiritual debt that leads to death. No amount of good works, religious dedication, or personal sacrifice can free us from this slavery.
But God, in His infinite love and wisdom, sent Jesus—fully God and fully man—to rescue us. Galatians 4:4-5 tells us that God sent His Son, born as a human baby, to live under the same law we could not keep. Unlike us, Christ lived a perfect life: He never sinned, never chose self over God. He alone was qualified to be our substitute—fully human (to represent us) and fully God (to pay an infinite price).
Jesus voluntarily took our place. On the cross, He paid our debt in full. He redeems us, giving us new value and new life. This isn’t just a legal transaction; it’s a complete transformation. When we trust in Christ alone for salvation, we are no longer slaves to sin but children of God (Galatians 4:7).
This salvation is available to anyone who recognizes their spiritual bankruptcy and places their trust in Jesus Christ alone. It’s not about what we do; it’s about what Jesus has already done. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), proving His victory over sin and death. When we believe this good news, we receive forgiveness, new life, and adoption into God’s family.
This is the truth that brings hope and joy.
If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, you can do so right now by acknowledging your sin, believing in Christ’s death and resurrection on your behalf, and committing your life to Him. If you’re a believer struggling with doubt or fear, remember that your redemption is secure—not because of your performance, but because of Christ’s perfect work on your behalf.