After Jesus hung on the cross, beaten, pierced and bleeding for our sins, He said "It is finished". (John 19:30) God has been trying to get it through my thick scull for a long time exactly what that means.
It means that Jesus' work is done, that we are no longer condemned for our sins. We are no longer under the law but are covered by God's grace. It's too simple so we make it hard.
It means that I don't have to carry around that guilt and shame that have become so much a part of me any longer. "It is finished".
It means that I don't have to work so hard on being good enough. I don't have to strive so hard to win the approval of God, and other people. I am already good in God's eyes because of Jesus. "It is finished".
It means that I have been forgiven of the awful things I did in the past. The slate has been wiped clean. It's over. "It's finished".
It means that every time I still slip up, being totally selfish and me centered, or being self-destructive, that I have been forgiven because Jesus took the punishment in my place. "It is finished".
It means that when I sin in the future, and I will because I'm human, that those sins were nailed to the cross, the price was paid, and I am washed clean by the blood of Jesus. "It is finished".
We now live under God's grace. We live by the new covenant. We don't have to follow laws. We don't have to do this or that. All we have to do is love Jesus and seek an intimate realtionship with Him. When we surrender our life to Him, He makes something beautiful out of our life. And that work of His is not finished!
Guilt and shame are two of the hardest false emotions for me to let go fully. Peggy always appreciate your encouraging posts. Blessings dear one.
ReplyDeleteWon't it be wonderful to be face to face with Jesus someday without these bodies, this flesh? Until then, I embrace His sweet grace with you Peggy. Happy Easter, my friend!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mary