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Tag: He who began the good work

Cross Verbs – Calling to Action :: 6th saying from the Cross

This is the 6th post of the series, Cross Verbs >> Calling to Action, which is a look at the 7 sayings of Jesus Christ from the Cross, with an “action” perspective, for faith without action is dead (James 2:17). What is of note is that each saying has a verb in it, implying an action of Jesus Christ, the Lord, and what’s more, is that his action calls for our action.

Saying Six: “It is finished.
The Cross verb today is “finish”.

Jesus’ word, “Tetelastai” which is to mean, “It is finished”, affirmed that the work that God has sent him to do, which was to reconcile mankind with God, was complete. There was nothing else left to be done. He finished the work so that we do not have to.

Points to ponder:
The Cross verb “finish” calls us to action – to first fix our eyes if Jesus and to stay on the course of our faith, keeping it and finishing the race, setting aside any weight that encumbers and pull us down and any sin that besets us.  Jesus finished the act of reconciling God with man and is the author and finisher of our faith. We can finish the work that God has given us to do which is to share the gospel of Christ, who saves all who believe in him, by grace, through faith in him, because Christ Jesus is a finisher. We are called to “finish” for it is only the finisher (and not the quitter) that receives the praise and the victor’s crown. Are you and I a finisher?

Prayer: Lord, let me not be a quitter, but let me be like you – being able to finally proclaim, “I have fought a good fight (as you did bearing our Cross), I have finished the course (as you boldly proclaimed – It is finished) and I have kept the faith (as you have demonstrated, how great your faithfulness is, in accepting us, an adulterous people).”  Lord Jesus, I thank you, that you who began the good work in me, would complete it, and I pray that you be with me (as you have promised) and help me be a finisher. 

John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Lesser known characters :: Archippus

Archippus was part of the church group that met in Philemon’s household (Philemon 1:2). Paul refers to Archippus as a fellow soldier (Philemon 1:2) and sends word for Archippus to take heed to the ministry that he had received in the Lord to make sure that he fulfills his mission (Colossians 4:17).

What can we learn from Archippus?
We must be fellow soldiers with other believers, supporting them in spiritual warfare, that is rampant in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must make sure that the ministry (of reconciliation of man to God) that God has given to us (2 Corinthians 5:18), is not only received by us, but that it is fulfilled. The good news is that He who began the good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Colossians 4:17 (KJV)
17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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