For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23 NIV)
“I owed a debt I could not pay.”
“Jesus paid a debt he did not owe.”
“Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.”
Jesus tells the story of a man who owed his master a debt that was so large he had no hope of ever being able to pay the debt. His master, out of compassion for him, forgave the entire debt.
That same man went out from his master and found another man who owed him a small amount of money. He grabbed him and choked him and demanded the man pay him back. The man begged for patience and time to repay. The other man refused and had him thrown into jail.
When the master who had forgiven the man heard of his wicked actions he told him he should have been merciful just as mercy had been extended to him.
When Jesus forgives my debts, I need to strive to become like him and be willing to forgive the debts of those who sin against me. The heart of the gospel. The grace of God changing the hearts of men to become like God.