Living in SalvationSample

"It is finished"

John 19:30…He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (NASB)

These were the last words Jesus spoke as His torturing and crucifixion came to an end and He gave up His spirit. But why would Jesus say, “It is finished,” with His last breath while in His fleshly body?

To understand what salvation in Christ is we need to understand what “It is finished” means. The literal meaning of the words, “It is finished,” is to bring to an end, complete, and fulfill. The Greek word is teleó: to end, finish, fulfill, accomplish. Jesus made sure that He declared the fulfillment/accomplishment of His mission with His last breath.

Interestingly enough the word teleó is also used for the word perfect in the bible in multiple passages. Here is where many people get tripped up because the word perfect in the English language means, completely free from faults or defects. This, of course, can be confusing because we are not perfect in this regard, only God is.

But Jesus told us, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” in chapter 5 of Matthew in the Sermon of the Mount. Jesus was not telling us that we are completely free from faults or defects. He is directing us to live in a way that reveals that we are complete, accomplished, and fulfilled in God.

Here is another verse where teleó, or teleioó, is used and translated as the word perfect. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (NKJV) Sanctified, or Holy, is the path that we are on.

1 Peter 1:16 “Be holy, because I am holy.” As we are becoming Holy in the Lord we are perfect (teleó) in Christ, and God has given us everything needed to live this life with Him. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (NASB)

His finished work completes us and grants us the grace to live as a new creation in Him.

Prayer

Lord, grant me the revelation and wisdom to walk in what it is You have accomplished on my behalf. Father, help me walk in true Holiness as I grow and mature into more of Your image and likeness.