S – He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.

Colossians 2:14–15 CSB

O – Commentary:

the record of charges against us: The Greek phrase suggests an IOU that we have all signed. Since we are unable to pay what we owe, it stands against us. The law of God required obedience that people are unable to give, but God has forgiven our debt through the work of Christ (2:13).

2:15 he disarmed: Or he stripped off. • He shamed them publicly (literally he led [them] in triumphal procession): The Roman army would celebrate a great victory with a triumphal procession. The victorious Roman general would lead the humiliated captives from his campaign into the conquered city. The image vividly captures the glorious victory that God, through the cross of Christ, has won over all hostile spiritual powers 

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Col 2:14–15.

A – Two strong concepts – Jesus nailed our IOU to the cross with him and he triumphed over all the forces who would enforce or remind us of the debt we owed.  We can live in victory and confidence knowing these truths.  It helps us to recognize that when the enemy challenges, tempts, shames and guilts us, he is speaking from a place of “already defeated.”  We can live from a place of complete victory knowing that Christ defeated the devil and all of his followers once and for eternity.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the victorious, risen Savior.  Thank you for paying our debt for our sin.  Your love for us in doing so allows us to walk in victory and confidence in your power to forgive our sins.  Empower us to do the same for others – forgive them when they sin against us.