Introduction:
We as Christians should be working towards the mark. We are working towards being perfected in our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Our primary goal is that we should live so that God will be pleased with our lives.
Development:
In the John 19:30 Jesus cried out. He cried out the words, It Is Finished! In our lives there are two types of cries. One, A Cry of Despair, and two, A Cry of Victory.
In the Greek, the word that represents a victorious cry is tetelestai. Jesus was shouting a cry of victory. His cry was that of a victorious cry.
He was victorious because he had defeated the foe at His own game. The foe was Satan. He had defeated the foe on his own ground and with his own symbol.
The cross was a symbol that belonged to the foe. The cross was a symbol of sin, punishment, and death.
Hang me on your cross, I am not going to be defeated because I am going to defeat the symbol of sin, punishment, and death. Drive your nails in my hands because I AM THE VICTORIOUS ONE HANGING HERE ON THIS OLD RUGGED CROSS.
Bringing this thing on home, Colossians 2:15 says, He spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (cross).
Satan, I have beaten you! I have disarmed/stripped you from your power. You do not have power over man like you use to have. I have all power in my hands in heaven, earth, and hell. IT IS FINISHED. I HAVE THE VICTORY!
Conclusion:
When we come to the end of our Christian journey, we should be able to say as the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
At the judgment, you want God to look at you and say, I am pleased with you my good and faithful servant!
We already have the victory. We have victory in Jesus.
I want to be able to shout out loud on my final day on this side of chilly Jordan..
It is well. It is well. It is well with my soul.
