John 19 | What am I going to do about it?

I posed a question in yesterday's devotion: Do I believe the cross completed the work? I could argue semantically that I don't entirely simply given the fact that there were prophecies fulfilled after that statement and the fact that the resurrection is necessary to demonstrate that death ahs been overcome. But then again, that would be to look at the statement of Jesus from an incorrect perspective. He was not saying that there would never be another prophecy to be fulfilled, but that the work He had set out to do in coming to earth was accomplished. He lived out His earthly ministry and it came to a conclusion in this moment. This allowed for the necessary things to follow so that prophecy may then fully be fulfilled. So then from the proper semantic view, indeed I do believe the cross completed the work.

Now how about in my life? It may be nice that Jesus did what He needed to in His life, but what does that mean for me? This where we can find we stumble into unbelief. I have become increasingly persuaded that the finished work of the cross of Christ actually changes everything in our lives. It is the very proof to the pudding we need. By the finished work, we can trust every promise laid out before and after. I can both trust that abiding in Him will lead to fruit in my life and that if I stumble I have an advocate to the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. It means genuine security in the heavenly places where I do not have to live my life in fear of sin and judgment. If Jesus overcome death, that means He has overcome that which produces death. Sin has been overcome. So sin no longer has dominion over us. The greatest contender in our life loses its power. Fear of judgment for sin is gone. We are reconciled to the Father and are no longer enemies of God so we can come boldly to the throne of Grace to find help in time of need. We have the perfect evidence of the Father's love for us and can trust that He will neither leave nor forsake us. I dare to ask, what doesn't change in the finished work of the cross of Christ?

The complicated part to this question is that we may claim to have an understanding of all these things and may very well claim to believe it. But do we live that way? James tells us that the works that follow our faith is the evidence of our faith. If we truly believe it, it will show up. How quickly do we hasten to the Lord to find help in time of need? Do we continuously doubt our salvation because of our own works as opposed to genuine faith in Christ? Do we expect to sin when we have been freed from sin's dominion? Just these few things can reveal whether or not we truly believe what Jesus accomplished. I will be taking time to examine these questions in my own life and conforming my beliefs to Him. Just as the man said to Jesus, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." Let us draw near.

What application are you implementing?