DAY 3: The Blood Didn’t Just Cover It—It Cancelled the Charge

A man can be released on parole and still carry a record. Every time someone looks him up, the past shows up with him. He’s out—but he’s not free. His name is still tied to the system. His file is still thick with offenses.

But when God purchased you, He didn’t release you with conditions. He wiped the record clean.

You weren’t just paroled. You were cleared. And until you see that, you’ll keep living with a spiritual limp—walking like the past still has weight, like you’re still tied to a system Jesus already tore apart.

God Didn’t Override the Charges—He Cancelled the Case

Look at Colossians 2:13–14:

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us… and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.”

Paul wrote this redemptive reality from a place of revelation—from a courtroom understanding. These are legal words. The phrase “handwriting of ordinances” is translated from the Greek word cheirographon—a technical term used for signed debt notes, confessions of guilt, or formal charges.

This was the full case against you. Not imaginary. Not symbolic. This was your legal record—documented, sealed, and prosecutable.

And Jesus took it.

Not Hidden—Nailed

Under Roman execution law, every criminal’s charge was written out and nailed above the cross. It was a public display of why the person was being put to death.

That’s why Pilate nailed “King of the Jews” over Jesus—it was the official legal reason.

But spiritually, Jesus didn’t just die for His charges. He was nailed up for yours.

The full list of your sin was fastened to the wood. Every offense, every perversion, every failure of conscience—listed, submitted, and then nailed to the Cross.

The word “blotting out” is the Greek word exaleiphō—it means to remove something so thoroughly that it leaves no trace behind. Like a debt erased from court records. It’s not hidden. It’s not ignored. It’s gone.

That’s not leniency. That’s legal closure.

Why the Devil Still Tries

Revelation 12:10 calls Satan “the accuser of the brethren.” That’s his role. He brings charges. But charges only carry weight if they have legal standing.

In Heaven’s court, if there is no file, no documentation, no record—the accusation has no foundation.

So what does Satan do? He works overtime to convince you the case is still open. He manipulates your memory. He whispers about your weakness. He keeps dragging old failures into new seasons.

But the courtroom where it counted—the only one with jurisdiction—already dismissed the case.

You’ve got to stop living like you’re waiting on a verdict.

You’ve Been Justified, Not Just Forgiven

Forgiveness means the offense was acknowledged but dismissed.

Justification goes further. It declares you righteous—as if you never sinned at all.

That’s what Romans 5:1 says:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Greek word here for “justified” is dikaioō, which means “to be declared innocent by legal ruling.” It’s not based on how you feel—it’s based on the ruling that was handed down from Heaven’s bench.

When the gavel hit, the ruling wasn’t “time served.”
It was “no longer guilty.”
It was “fully paid.”
It was “righteous by substitution.”

The Record Has Been Removed

This is why Christians have to renew their minds.

Because legally, your file is closed. Spiritually, your status is righteous. But if your thinking still expects punishment, you’ll live afraid of a judge who isn’t judging you.

And when your identity is still tied to your record, you’ll never fully surrender your future.

This is where the transition begins. The realization:
If He did all of this for me… how could I live for anything less than Him?

That’s the beginning of transformation. Not duty. Not religion. Not fear. But a clear understanding of what has legally been done. It sets the stage for everything that comes next.

Coming into clarity of your identity always leads to a question:
Now that I’m His—what do I do with this life?

Jesus took the complete list of charges, penalties, and legal demands stacked against us and erased it entirely. He lifted it off the docket, removed its legal power, and nailed it visibly to His own Cross. From that moment forward, no accusation could be legally upheld—because the entire case was settled once and for all.

But hold that question.
That’s what we’ll answer when this 7-day case file closes.

—Joshua L Mullins