The significance of Jesus' last words on the cross "It is Finished…" (John
19:30)
Christ's completion of the work of redemption
means that nothing needs to be nor can be added to it.
Salvation is not a joint effort of God and man, but is entirely a work of
God's grace, appropriated solely by faith (Ephesians. 2:8-9).
In short, Jesus' earthly mission was accomplished
and His last words was a shout of triumph; the proclamation of a victor.
Is our work finished?
Ephesians. 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
clearly meant that our salvation (not wealth and
health) is the ultimate gift of God.
Unfortunately, some believers still have the
misconception that he/she can just "rest on His finished work" and enjoy a
care-free and effortless life on earth!
Faith
without deeds is dead.
Nothing can be further from the truths as can be
seen from James 2:14-26:
Jas 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a
man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Jas 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
Jas 2:16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well
fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
Jas 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by
action, is dead.
Jas 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your
faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Jas 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe
that-- and shudder.
Jas 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is
useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did
when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and
his faith was made complete by what he did.
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's
friend.
Jas 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith
alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered
righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them
off in a different direction?
Jas 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is
dead.
Do not be deceived by the notion that our works
on earth are also finished. They are not!
It is time to be awaken from
our slumber to start serving our Master as we celebrate His resurrection on
Easter Sunday.
Jesus died so that we may live.
What are we doing for Jesus?
