Just before Jesus entrusted his spirit to His Father on the cross, He spoke one word that would dramatically alter the course of human History in one instant:
"Tetelestai"
"IT IS FINISHED!"
That word, Tetelestai, means "I've done it!", "I've completed the task!", "I've fully accomplished the goal!"
What was that task, that goal given to Jesus by His Heavenly Father?
To live out every single detail of the law in our place, to make the full payment for sin in our place, to die our death for us so that we will never taste death, and to redeem God's original intent for each one of us so we can truly live--right here and right now!
All this was done in full on our behalf long before we were alive to vote on the matter! We were graciously included in all the benefits of Christ's perfect sacrifice that we get to feast on every day of our lives! Who is this God?? Who is this beautiful Savior??
Tetelestai is in the perfect tense which describes a PAST completed act with PRESENT effect, emphasizing that the past completed event of Christ's death on the Cross has ongoing "right now" benefits as well as permanent effects!
We have a lifetime ahead of us to explore, unwrap and unveil the mysteries of all that Christ finished for us on the cross. But know this: You are already accepted, perfect, holy and righteous according to how the Father sees you by His own choice!
My message last Saturday was titled, "God's Part & Our Part" or "All Finished and In Process"
(you can listen to it here: http://blazingfire.org/podcasts).
This week I came across this article from our friend W. Paul Young (author of The Shack) which clearly shows how, over time, legalism (trying to be good enough by what we do instead of simply believing what Christ has done for us) has crept back into the church to coerce us into doing God's part which was never the plan.
Here's that article:
I am intrigued by words, some of which are considered to be omnipresent and “holy” and very “Christian” …even if they aren’t even in the Bible. At all. I am thinking of one word in particular at this moment that dominates the religious landscape and has a solid foothold in the rest of the western culture as well. This word is so powerful we assume it was one of those words that’s inherently tied to the character of God.
The word I’m thinking of is not in the Bible, although it has slipped into a few English translations.
What is the word? Responsibility.
Neither “responsibility” or any of its derivations, including “responsible,” make a single appearance.
The etymology of “responsibility” is French, probably a Latin derived 13th Century participle. It didn’t gain common traction until the time of the industrial revolution, when work and progress became paramount. From there it morphed into a performance production word.
Are we surprised that religion grabbed a hold of it as a very useful motivator? Even using it so proficiently that it is now assumed to be one of those holy words? I’m not.
Instead of responsibility, the Bible chooses to focus on another action: the ability to respond. This is entirely different.
Responsibility is a set of expectations enforced from the outside. It’s a law or code of behavior and often used to define a good person and communicate shame for poor performance.
But a response arises from within. It is dynamic and relational. Because of who we are as human beings indwelt by Jesus (John 14:20), we have an ability to respond, not a responsibility. This has massive implications and is implicitly an invitation to adventures in living.
Remember that today. Your call is not a responsibility. It is your willing and joyful response.
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