It Is Finished

At my core, I naturally drift towards a “works based” belief in salvation.  That is, I don’t “deserve” salvation unless I have earned it.  To me, life is just a big balance sheet of “debits” on the left and “credits” on the right.  This flows over to every facet of my life.  Not sure anyone else can relate, but I become anxious when I go out to dinner with friends, and we “split” the bill.  If I order a salad and my friend did not, I make a mental note that I am now indebted to my friend for the wedge salad that I ordered.  And if I never repay that “debt,” I feel guilty.  It is a horrible way to live.  

As we turn our focus to the cross this Holy Week, let us recall the last words of Jesus on the cross as recorded by the apostle John:  “It is finished” (John 19:30). With this simple, three-word cry, Jesus declares that there is nothing more to be done concerning our salvation.  “It is finished” affirms that Jesus’ work on the cross was sufficient and effective—once and for all time.  “It is finished” are words of comfort for people like me who are burdened by the guilt of their imperfect lives (that is, all the “debits” of sin on the balance sheet of life that can never be offset by the too few “credits” of good works).  “It is finished” means that Christ on the cross paid in full the penalty we deserved for our sins.

One of my favorite “theologian/pastors,” Ben Lacy Rose put it this way:  “The check that Jesus wrote in His blood on Calvary had my name written on it—and yours too if you believe His Word.  On the Day of Judgment (and there surely will be such a day), there will be a Bill of Indictment against me.  All my sins will be listed there; and it will be a long list!  But since Calvary, there has been written across the face of my bill:  PAID IN FULL.  ***** Because of the atonement wrought by Christ on Calvary, my salvation is forever settled and sure; and so is yours, if you believe in God’s Word.  So, we do not wonder what will happen to us at Judgment.  We can say with Paul, “There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). That is good news!  That is the heart of the Gospel! With that confidence we can go on our way rejoicing!”

In sum, before I even sat down to the table to eat, Jesus paid the tab for me.  My faith in the finished atonement (that he has already paid the bill) is all the saving faith necessary to await that heavenly banquet.  “It is finished.”  What blessed assurance!

In Christ,

Carter Dukes