Do you LIVE in light of "IT IS FINISHED!"

"Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

Good Friday and Easter are right around the corner. It is, for Christians, the most beautiful and anticipated holiday of the year. Even Christmas would have no meaning apart from Easter! Conversations, facebook, twitter, sermons, etc. are all going to be centered around the words "It is finished" and "He is risen!" What hope we have in Easter! What joy!

While this is a special time of year for reflection of the cross, I think that we as Christians struggle to live in light of "It is finished!" the other 363 days of the year. As I have been pondering the gospel more and more and how it applies not only to my justification- but how it applies to my moment by moment every day life I have been questioning myself. Do I really live as though "It is finished!"? When I fail to live up to my own standards, the standards of others, and let alone God's standards, do I know that this is true? Do I respond accordingly? Do I know that without a shadow of a doubt no matter what I do or don't do, I am God's beloved child? Do I know that He thinks no less of me? Do I know that He loves me the same? Do I know He is still near? Do I know that I have still been bought with precious blood? When I try to obey the Lord, and I fail- again, and again, and again...do I believe this to be true?

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Col. 2: 13-14

We are completely forgiven. We are dead in our trespasses and we are alive in Christ. What does that mean for us then? It means that we are BELOVED CHILDREN of God.

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ has also loved us and given Himself for us...." Eph 5:1-2

If we are to have victory in life against sin and self- if we are to be imitators of God, we must be drenching our minds in the truths of Good Friday and Easter every day, moment by moment. Not just once a year. We are dear children and Christ loved us and gave himself for us. It has already been accomplished. That alone is the motivation and power to live for Christ!

Don't wait for Good Friday and Easter to ponder these things. Think about it every second of every day until Christ returns or takes you home! Drench your mind with the words "IT IS FINISHED!" be filled with joy in that truth, and in turn, live!