Freedom from Death and Debt: Finding True Rest in Christ


A man burdened by a mountain of debt spends sleepless nights trying to figure out how to pay what he owes. Every knock on the door sends shivers down his spine, fearing it’s a creditor demanding repayment. Then one day, someone steps in, pays off his debt completely, and gives him resources to start afresh. For the first time, he experiences peace, freedom, and rest.

This is the story of humanity. We were burdened with the debt of sin and the weight of death, but Christ came to set us free and give us rest.

Christ: The Fulfillment of Rest

Rest is at the heart of God’s law of the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8-10, God commanded the Israelites to observe the Sabbath, a day of rest, as a reminder of His provision and care. However, the Sabbath was more than a physical rest—it pointed to the spiritual rest found in Christ.

Jesus declared in Matthew 11:28-29:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Christ came to fulfill the law of the Sabbath by offering true rest—freedom from the burden of sin, death, and debt.

Freedom from Death

Sin brought death into the world (Romans 6:23), and humanity became enslaved to fear and mortality. But through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated death and set us free:

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14-15)

In Christ, death no longer has the final say. Paul proclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57:
"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Freedom from Debt

Debt is a weight that enslaves and oppresses. Proverbs 22:7 says:
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

Spiritually, sin created a debt we could never repay. But Jesus canceled our debt on the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 declares:
"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Through His sacrifice, Christ paid our spiritual debt in full, setting us free from the bondage of sin and guilt.

Living in Christ’s Rest

To experience the rest Christ offers, we must:

  1. Trust in His Finished Work
    Rest begins with faith in what Christ has done. Hebrews 4:10 says:
    "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His."
    We no longer strive to earn salvation or favor—it is a gift of grace.

  2. Let Go of Fear and Anxiety
    Christ’s rest replaces fear with peace. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us:
    "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

  3. Walk in Freedom
    Freedom from death and debt is not just a spiritual reality—it transforms how we live. Galatians 5:1 urges us:
    "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

  4. Embrace Generosity and Forgiveness
    Just as we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others and be generous stewards of God’s blessings. Luke 6:38 says:
    "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom."

Rest: A Gift for Every Believer

True rest is not about the absence of challenges but the presence of Christ. It is living in the assurance that He has overcome sin, death, and every burden.

Hebrews 4:9-11 reminds us:
"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest."

As we rest in Christ, we experience freedom, peace, and purpose. Like the man whose debt was paid, we are no longer slaves—we are free to live, love, and serve in the abundance of God’s grace.

Let us embrace this rest and walk in the freedom Christ has given us.

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