It Is Finished

40 Days of Prayer 

It Is Finished

  
After nearly six hours suffering on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." 
John 19:30 ESV

"Just as the only basis for the removal of our guilt is the finished work of Christ upon the cross in history, plus nothing, so the only instrument for accepting that finished work of Christ upon the cross is faith. This is not faith in the twentieth century or Kierkegaardian concept of faith as a jump in the dark -- not a solution on the basis of faith in faith. It is believing the specific promises of God; no longer turning our backs on them, no longer calling God a liar, but raising the empty hands of faith and accepting that finished work of Christ as it was fulfilled in history upon the cross."  Francis A. Schaefer, True Spirituality

What was finished when Christ died on the cross? A spiritual and physical healer that brought encouragement to many? The life of a Jewish teacher who was killed for heretical teaching? A movement led by a reformer who preached of the "Kingdom of God" as a means for personal and egalitarian social transformation (thank you Wikipedia)? Or was God himself crucified on behalf of guilty sinners in order to redeem them?

Shaeffer says we believe the promises of God. We recognize we add nothing to the work of Christ. We contribute nothing to our redemption. D.A. Carson says it is one of the ironies of the cross that the one who is all powerful would make himself powerless. A pivotal moment in history that forever changed the way we relate to God should never be reduced to something men can accomplish in good works. To attempt to add to the work of God as if it were not enough is the true abomination before The Lord.

Faith is not a jump in the dark with no basis. The words in Scripture are a true and sound foundation for our faith. As Shaeffer says, "Believe in the promises of God." We lean on these promises even now in the unknown future of Grace Redeemer. Praise the Lord because He is real and His finished work saves real people!