Finished: Entirely done, complete.
The phase, “It is finished” can be taken out of context and be applied to many different situations. Whether personal or applied to common facts we must learn to apply this phrase appropriately. Knowing when to declare “It is finished” over a situation can lead us, and our loved ones, to victoryover the enemy.My Sister was on the phone sobbing to her friend, and telling her all the negative things that were going on in her life. I stood quietly by screaming inside, “Shut-up! Don’t tell her what is going on with you.”
My sister could not discern the craftiness of this person because this “friend” was someone in whom my sister had great trust and confidence. However, I could discern that her friend was Wolf in Sheep Clothing. She was the kind of person Jesus warned of in Matthew 7:15. Icould only pray that this friendship would come to an end, be completed, and finished.
We all may have in some way or another experienced deception, pain, addictions to people, food or drugs, depression, or family sickness. But there is hope in Jesus to overcome every test the enemy sends our way. We can use our trials to develop strong faith and confidence for every day. One sure way to develop faith is to live a life of purpose and determination. If Jesus did not have a purpose in life, His words, “It is finished” would have no meaning.
A life with purpose should be a disciplined life. Discipline enables us to say, “It is finished” when necessary without reservation or intimidation. When we allow purpose to align with obedience to God and what He tells us to do, then Jesus will fight to the finish for you. Because He tells us the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15.) While some battles seem to go on and on, in Jesus we can find faith to go on bearing our cross to the end. We also find strength to live a life of purpose, obedience and sacrifice to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.
Jesus’ words on the cross are our victory. Through Him we are more than conquerors, because in Christ IT IS FINISHED. Amen!
Maviyah B. Lewis
Maviyah recently retired from City College of San Francisco, Human Resources Department. She has been a member of the Daughters of Zion Women’s Ministryfor over 13 years, and she is a member of Word of Faith Church in San Pablo, California. Maviyah serves as an Altar Worker, Apollo's Ministry Assistant and heads the Extreme Evangelism Ministry