It is Finished - by Pat Everett

“It is finished.” The last words Christ spoke on the cross. Powerful words more so than I have ever believed. Were those words spoken only to tell us our sins are forgiven, and we get to go to heaven when we die? Or is there more? What about life in the here and now? So, what was “finished”? What if those words signaled a new way to live, a life of freedom, of power and love? What if it signaled a total exchange of life? This is an invitation to join me as we seek to answer those questions and find the beautiful treasure contained in His last words.

• The First Adam. Christ, the Second Adam, began a new species of humans who are indwelt by Holy Spirit. Divinity took on humanity so humanity could take on divinity. Now if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold everything is fresh and new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TPT). Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness. As a result of this, he has given us magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises you can experience partnership with the divine nature, by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world. 2:3-4 (TPT). We have a new identity. We are no longer “sinners” but “saints.” For example, see¸ Ephesians 1:1.

• Hierarchy/Religion. Religion is a system of hierarchy; it separates and creates an “us” versus “them” mentality. Christ came to restore to mankind God’s design of oneness. Moments before Christ was taken, He prayed for this to be the way we would live, the way others would know God had sent Him into the world. Hear His prayer, And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message. I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me, For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy! You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.John 17:20-23 (TPT). We are One with God; we have been given His glory and we are passionately loved. Living this out is how the world will be convinced God sent His Son.

• Works Righteousness. For me personally, this is such freedom. It is no longer up to me to earn or maintain righteousness. For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (TPT). Christ did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has made us and will keep us as righteous. This is the beautiful life of Sabbath Rest. We cease from our works of righteousness and enter into His finished work! See Hebrews 4:9.

• The Old Covenant. Also known as “The Law” or the “Mosaic Covenant”. Christ, as our Representative, fulfilled every requirement, jot and tittle of the Law for us and as us. Hear the words of Jesus, He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” Luke 22:20 (NASB). Because of the finished work of Christ, the Old Covenant is completed and has been made obsolete, ready to be taken away. This had to take place before the New Covenant could be established. The book of Hebrews gives us the details of how this happened. When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and grown old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NASB). So how did that happen and when? [T[hen He said, “Behold, I have come to do Thy will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. Hebrews 10:9 (NASB). The phrase, “takes away” means “to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder – put to death, kill, slay, take away, take up.” The Complete Word Study New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates Th.D. Christ on the cross took it away completely and established the New Covenant in His death, burial, and resurrection. We do not live by the Old Covenant anymore, we live by the New Covenant, which is Christ as our Source, Christ AS Life and His Law is Love!

• Sin Consciousness. In Christ we are purified, cleansed, and made whole, we are forgiven in whole not in part, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness once for all. We are now free from a sin consciousness. For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had a consciousness of sins? No more making lists of my sins. Freedom!

I am certain there is much more to be seen. Maybe you too can begin to see more of what Christ meant when He said, “It is finished.” Truly, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness because He took our old life and gave us His life. A life of oneness with God, of righteousness, peace, glory, and love! In living this out, how might this change your life, and the lives of others?