Many Christians struggle with understanding the difference between the work of the devil and the work of the Holy Spirit. Does that sound strange to you? They're vastly different, but they can feel very similar. The devil loves to condemn us by telling us everything we’ve done wrong. He'll tell us that that we should’ve been condemned for all of the bad things we think and do. The Holy Spirit also tells us what we have done wrong but He leads us to get it cleaned up and have a fresh and open relationship with our Heavenly Father. What a difference! Today, let's look at a passage from Colossians and consider what God has done for you and me through Christ—and how it changes everything!

He canceled the record of charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14-15)

My wife Pam and I often watch police dramas on television. On those shows, criminals often return to the scene of the crime. Christians struggling with their past sins also have the temptation to return over and over again to the "scene of the crime." They revisit things they have done in the past, things for which they have already sought and received forgiveness from God. Today's passage tells us, "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." The case against you and me will never go before the Judge. Why? Because Jesus has dropped the charges! Paul goes on to write that Jesus "disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities." Even though the devil has plenty of evidence of our wrongdoing, Jesus has ruled that all of the evidence is inadmissible. Our adversary has been disarmed; he has no power over us. Today, take a few moments to thank God for the wonderful redemptive work Jesus completed on the cross…and then, breathe a sigh of relief. The case against you has been closed...and that is very Good News!