What does Jesus' completion of His work teach about perseverance in our faith? Setting the Scene at the Cross John 19:30: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” • One decisive statement—“It is finished” (Greek: tetelestai)—declares a task fully completed, a debt paid in full, a mission accomplished. • The perfect tense of the verb signals lasting results; what Jesus finished remains finished forever. What “It Is Finished” Tells Us about Perseverance • Our faith rests on a completed work, not an ongoing negotiation with God. • Because redemption is secured, perseverance is not striving to earn salvation but holding fast to what has already been won. • The certainty of Christ’s victory turns endurance from a grim duty into confident expectation. Jesus as the Pattern of Endurance Hebrews 12:1-2: “Let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…” • He endured rejection, suffering, and shame—yet pressed on to the finish. • His perseverance was fueled by “the joy set before Him”; ours is fueled by the joy of belonging to Him. • The same Spirit who strengthened Christ now indwells believers (Romans 8:11). Promises That Anchor Us • Philippians 1:6—He who began the good work “will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” • Hebrews 10:23—“Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” • Romans 8:38-39—Nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • 1 Corinthians 15:58—Because His resurrection guarantees victory, “be steadfast… your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Practical Ways to Persevere 1. Fix your focus • Daily return to the finished work—read John 19:30, meditate on the cross, rehearse the gospel. 2. Feed on Scripture • Endurance grows as the word abides in us (Psalm 119:92). 3. Lean on the Spirit • Prayerfully depend on His strength, not mere self-discipline (Galatians 5:16). 4. Stay in fellowship • Mutual encouragement helps us “not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Keep the long view • Like Paul, aim to say, “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7), knowing reward awaits (2 Timothy 4:8). Encouragement from Finished to Finishing • Christ’s cry of completion secures our salvation, models our endurance, and supplies the power to persevere. • Because He finished, we can finish—the same grace that saved us will keep us until we see Him face-to-face. |
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