When we speak of something as
being finished, we do not expect that anything else needs to be
added. When concrete is placed and the
finishers have done their work properly, there is nothing left
to be done. In fact, once the concrete is
finished, it cannot be changed. Someone would have to be ignorant
of the nature of concrete and the work of the finisher to think
that they could somehow enhance that work or add something to
it to make it more finished once that work is done. Most all people
who call themselves Christians proclaim that they believe in
the finished work of Christ. Yet very few of those who say
they are gospel preachers actually preach that the salvation wrought
by Jesus Christ is finished. Practically all of them tell
us that something must be added by men in order to complete the
transaction of justification and redemption. The scripture
plainly says He purged our sins, He obtained eternal redemption,
and He hath put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. We can
be quite certain that the Lord accomplished exactly what He
intended to accomplish when He hung on Calvary's cross and cried
out, It is finished. There is nothing left to be done,
nor can anything be added to that work nor taken from it.
This is what is called the absolute and definite atonement of our
Lord. Much more than being now justified
by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. We could
not logically conclude that the salvation of sinners has been
made secure if they must yet do something in order to reap
the benefits of that salvation. The preachers of free will tell
us that faith is that which men must possess in order to make
Christ's work effectual. This line of thinking is to put
the proverbial cart before the horse. Faith is the gift of God
and cannot be exercised by any whose sins have not been purged
by Christ. Faith is not the cause of salvation,
rather it is the effect of it. Those who are saved by the blood
of Christ are those who believe the declaration of the gospel
when they are quickened and given ears to hear it. Christ is indeed
the author and finisher of our faith. The gospel is not about
God giving men an opportunity to be saved, nor giving everybody
a square deal and a fair chance. Rather, it is the plain and glorious
declaration that Jesus Christ, the righteous, has died an ignominious
death to redeem lost sinners, and that he has triumphed in
that work, putting all his enemies to flight and securing the eternal
redemption of those for whom he shed his precious life's blood.
Those who knowing themselves to be sinners, and having fled
to him for refuge, take comfort in the redemption which he alone
has secured. This is what he accomplished
and finished for his people as he bled on Golgotha's cross.
He has purged their sins. Joseph Stalin purged Russia of
his enemies. So Christ has taken away the
sins of his elect as far as the east is from the west. They are
remembered no more. Blessed is the man to whom the
Lord will not impute sin. He has destroyed their enemies,
and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it. Nothing can separate
them from Him who loved them and gave Himself for them. Even
their accusers are made silent before Him. Who shall lay anything
to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. He
has provided their needs. He has led captivity captive
and gave gifts unto men. He has equipped them with everything
they need, both in this world and that which is to come. He
that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,
how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? He
has sanctified them, for by one offering He hath perfected forever
them that are sanctified. Some try to tell us that sanctification
is a progressive work and is a function of keeping the law.
But how can those who are dead to the law and married to Christ
submit themselves back to the law of sin and death without
being adulterers? For the law made nothing perfect,
but the bringing in of a better hope did, by the which we draw
nigh unto God. Finally, He has glorified them.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in Christ. This glory is presently unfolding
and shall be fully realized in the ages to come. God hath from
the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto He called you by our
Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you rejoice in the finished
work of Christ, or are you seeking to add something to it?