The Finished Work
Today’s Verse:
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ~Hebrews 4:3
The word “finish” implies that something is done or completed. It tells us that everything that was required to be done is done, and nothing more is needed. This morning, let us consider the finished work of God.
There is the finished work of creation.
All the work of creation was completed and finished in six days. On the seventh day, God rested from all His work and designated the seventh day as a day of rest. At different intervals of the work of creation, God saw all that He did and declared that it was good. At the end of the sixth day, God saw everything He did and said that it was very good. The finished work of creation is done. It does not need improvement or additional work. With the finished work of creation, the heavens declare the glory of God and firmament showeth His handiwork. We see the beauty of creation. The grandeur of the mountains, the majestic oceans, the seasonal changes, the colorful landscapes; all of creation is fabulously beautiful. We see the blessing of creation. Everything about creation blesses and encourages our hearts.
There is the finished work of the cross.
Before Jesus died, He cried out, “It is finished.” In the Greek, those three words are capsulized in one word: tetelestai! This was the word that was cried out when an artist placed his finishing touches on a painting; it was the word stated when a debt was paid in full; it was the word stated when construction on a house was completed. Jesus shouted out that the work of redemption was done. The sin debt owed by every man was paid in full by Jesus’ shed blood and death on the cross. No more sacrifice for sin was required. God’s perfect Lamb paid the sin debt for us. God’s righteous demand for sin is complete. Christ does not need to die again and again. We are sanctified by the offering of the body of Christ once for all.
There is the finished work of the Christian.
When we are saved, there is the work of justification. We are free from the penalty of sin. Being justified means God looks at us as if we have never sinned. After justification, there is sanctification. God sets us apart as His purchased possession. In sanctification, we are free from the power of sin. We are set apart to live in holiness and victory over sin. We do not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness. We mortify our body and spirit so that these members are yielded to Christ for victory. However, the ultimate attainment for us is glorification. In glorification, we are free from the presence of sin. We are changed into the same immortal and incorruptible image as our Lord. The finished work of the Christian is when we enter into glory and receive glorified bodies: no more sin, no more suffering, no more disease, and no more death.
What does the finished work of God mean for us? Let us walk in faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. Let us walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Let us walk with God and draw near to Him as He draws near to us. Let us go on in spiritual victory and glorify Him in our lives.
Have a Christ-honoring God Morning!
Bible Reading: John 11-12