The Finished Work and Our Living Response

There are moments in life when we feel utterly separated from God—when suffering, brokenness, and disappointment scream louder than truth. But here’s what God says: “I’m coming back to bring salvation.”

There’s resurrection power heading your way. Not just a feel-good word, but a living reality. But the real question is: Do we know how to access it?

The Earth Shook—A New Foundation

When Jesus gave up His spirit, the veil was torn, the rocks split, and the old foundations cracked. Something massive shifted. The old temple system had to go because a new foundation was being laid—a new covenant, a new access point, a new temple: you and me.

Jesus said, “Tear down this temple, and in three days, I’ll raise it up.” He wasn’t just talking about a building—He was rebuilding us as His dwelling place. The church was being reborn. A new kind of temple was being formed—not made with human hands, but formed by the Spirit of God.

When We Suffer, Do People See Jesus?

But here’s the challenge: when we suffer, do people see Jesus in us? When we’re offended, impatient, or hurting—what do others see?

Do they encounter the Prince of Peace in us… or do they fear our attitude more than they feel the presence of God?

We’re walking daily on one of two roads: the broad path or the narrow way. And Jesus says, “It’s your choice.” Will you follow the finished work or chase the things that never satisfy?

A Culture of Comfort or a Kingdom of Conviction?

In North America, we've sometimes made church the broad way—comfortable, appealing, compromised. But we’re not called to blend in. We’re called to build on the narrow road.

The truth is: the uncompromising Word of God still changes lives. The real Gospel still heals. People are hungry for something true, something authentic. Not performance. Not pretense. Just Jesus.

We can grow as a church—not by compromise—but by conviction. By integrity. By walking the narrow path together.

Eyes on Jesus, Not on the Waves

I love the story of Peter walking on water. Jesus says, “Keep your eyes on Me.” And the moment Peter looks at the storm, he begins to sink.

That’s us too. When we take our eyes off the finished work, we lose sight of the promise.

The cross wasn’t the end—it was the completion. The Greek word in John 19:30—"Tetelestai"—means “It is finished. Paid in full.” The price was paid not just for sin, but for your mind, your will, your emotions, your wholeness—your freedom.

Don’t Just Watch the Cross—Walk It Out

But here’s where many stop. Yes, Jesus finished it. But now we must walk the path of the finished work. We don’t get to sit back in passivity—we pick up our cross daily.

He finished it so we could live it.

He fulfilled the requirement so we could step into the promise.

He completed His task so we could become His testimony.

From Crucifixion to Resurrection

Right before the resurrection, Jesus prayed, “Now, Father, glorify Me with the glory I had before the world began.” He was getting ready to rise, to ascend, to send the Holy Spirit, and to empower us with resurrection life.

This is our call: to live as living sacrifices, to shine so that people look at us and say: “Surely, the Son of God is alive in them.”

Not perfect, but authentic. Not religious, but relentless in pursuit of Him.

The Real Church Rises

So now the question is—are we living out His finished work?

Not just preaching it. Not just singing about it. But living it.

Because He finished something—so we could start something. He completed it—so we could walk in it. And the world is watching.

Let’s be the church that still believes in the power of the cross and the beauty of the resurrection. Let’s be the people of the narrow path. Let’s be the ones who carry the finished work like a banner over our lives.

Because it truly is finished—but our response is just beginning.