Feb 07, 2011 The Cry From the Cross: A Finished Forgiveness
Originally posted on March 17, 2005
“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” John 19:30
One of the seven statements Jesus made from the cross was “It is finished.” What was finished? What did Jesus accomplish on the cross? On the cross, Jesus paid the full penalty of our sin, which was the bearing of the wrath of God against sin. He did it because He loved us. By doing it, He secured forgiveness for all who have faith in Him. He finished our forgiveness.
What About My Sin?
One of the basic questions in life is, “What do I do with my sin?” Our strategies for dealing with sin are sophisticated, but ineffective. We try covering them up with a new image. We try to shut out the guilt we feel with money, drugs, activity, and more. We deny sin exists. We even remake God into someone who doesn’t care if we sin as long as we are happy. Try as we may, the sense of sin’s guilt won’t go away until sin is actually dealt with.
The only solution for our sin is to be forgiven of it. The only way to be forgiven of sin is for it to actually be dealt with. Ignoring sin, covering it up, or medicating the guilt of it will never work. Forgiveness is the answer.
Justice, Love, and Grace
The cross is all about dealing with sin so we can be forgiven. Jesus was punished for our sin, not His (for He had not sinned). It is about us, as well as those present at the cross, that Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
The cross was a demonstration of justice, love, and grace at the same time. In justice, God punished sin as any good judge punishes a crime. In love, God took the punishment on Himself, for Jesus is God in a man. In grace, God will forgive all who have faith in Jesus.
Finished Forgiveness By Faith
So, what do you do with your sin? You have faith in Jesus, who died in your place for your sin, as the ultimate act of justice, love, and grace.
Faith in Jesus includes believing that His death happened, trusting that it happened for you and because of your sin, repenting (turning) from everything you have tried to deal with your sin on your own, and following Him in practical obedience.
From the cross Jesus declared a finished forgiveness for all who have faith.
Pastor Scott