It Is Finished

Now that spring has arrived, I have been taking walks around our neighborhood, which is undergoing another round of construction of new homes.  I love walking near the back of the development, because I can see the lush green fields and coastal mountain range in the background. 

As I crossed a street, I noticed this barrier …

with this sign attached…

…and I thought to myself, “Isn’t that how sanctification is?”  Once we accept Christ, who is our Way, we embark on a lifelong road of “future development” as we become more like Him.  Old sinful habits fade and new habits are developed as we learn what it means to truly love others as He first loved us (John 13:34). 

As I approached the barrier, I noticed its condition…

…and I had to smile.  It is battered, worn, and peeling at the edges, and isn’t that the way it can feel inside sometimes?  Often, He will teach us some of our most important lessons through trials.  As we battle our flesh in learning the way of love and righteousness, we crash and stumble and “take a few hits” along the way.  Learning how to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16) is hard work and takes practice.

As I stood at the barrier pondering all of this, I looked through the slats at the sheep peacefully grazing in the fields.

I peeked over the top of the barrier…

and thought, “This feels familiar too.  How often do I look at other believers who appear to have it all together and are peacefully grazing in the Shepherd’s field?  Why am I struggling?  What am I doing wrong?”

And then I remember…

that I have forgotten…

again…

that Jesus said, “It is finished.”

My sin debt is fully paid,
the judgment for my sin has been completely served,
and the battle over sin, death and Satan is won and over.

The veil was torn,

The barrier was removed forever.

Any time we feel like we encounter a barrier, we must remember that feelings are not facts.  The truth is that He permanently removed the barrier between God and man at the cross of Calvary, and He bids us to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)

“…and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.” (John 10:3)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

I am one of His flock.  The work at the cross was complete.  I simply need to step around the barrier in my mind that He tore down at the cross, onto the cool grass of His mercy and grace.

Soli Deo Gloria!