Insulting God

By Peter Crause

Hebrews 10:10-15 by whose will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest that stands daily ministering and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:

The words of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary at His crucifixion carry so much weight that it is imperative that we study and fully understand their implication to avoid the gross errors that have plagued Christianity for the past 2000 years. The words that Jesus uttered that we are speaking of are: “It is finished” – the Greek is “Tetalestai”. This term was used when a debt was fully paid off. No person in their right minds would continue to pay for something that has been paid off would they? Strangely though, this is exactly what many so-called Christians are doing in their beliefs and practices. In so doing they are actually insulting God and saying that what He did at Calvary was not enough. This is evidenced in the false ideas of the Lord’s supper or “Eucharist” practiced by some, where they again offer Jesus as a bloodless sacrifice to God for forgiveness of sins. I think our scripture reference adequately refutes this false practice.

To refresh our pure minds I would like us to consider what “it is finished” means:

- Firstly it means “it is finished” – nothing more to do. Don’t add to or read into it meanings that are obscure and not obvious. God hasn’t given us His revelation to confuse us but to make us clearly understand what He means. If we do not understand a text, find other scriptures concerning the subject and let the scriptures themselves give you the true meaning – not what some “theologian” thinks it should be.

- If a “job” or “act” is “finished”, it is a clear indication that there is no need or purpose to repeat it. “Finished” means the desired goal has been achieved – to constantly repeat the same activity on a “finished” activity is an exercise in futility, a waste of time and utter foolishness. Why try to accomplish what has already been accomplished.

- “Finished” implies that the activity was started, carried out and has reached its logical conclusion. Hollywood and sportscasters may give us “instant replays”, but these are not repeats of the activity but merely a viewing of what has transpired. Time that has passed cannot be “re-captured” or re-run in “real-time” – only reviewed.

- The only time a “finished” activity has to be repeated or redone is when the activity didn’t achieve the desired goal or was only partial in its fulfillment. In this regard I wish to again strongly advise the reader to consider the practice of “offering Christ” again – in effect this activity is stating that God never achieved His goal by the death of His Son on Calvary – what an insult!

- All the Old Testament blood sacrifices were pointing ahead to the coming great sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as full and complete payment for the sins of all mankind. The legalism and rituals surrounding these are no longer viable – “it is finished” means that there is nothing in the way of sacrifice to look ahead to, but we do look back to the accomplished act by way of remembrance – in the practice of “Breaking of Bread” or the “Lord’s supper” or “Holy Communion” practiced as a memorial by true believers.

- “It is finished” passes the act into history; its goal being effective from the time of its completion to the present; the scope of effectiveness being dependant on the scope of its aim. The “finished work” of Jesus on our behalf on Calvary is as effective today as it was to the early Church and to the Disciples of Christ. Nothing has changed! Nothing has been or can be added to its completeness! No mere man; be he priest, saint, bishop, presbyter, pastor, evangelist, apostle or prophet can add to or improve on what Jesus has accomplished once for all – never to be repeated in actuality, in principle and practice or in ritual. The Head of the Church is and ever will be only the Lord Jesus Christ – His Lordship and exaltation is proof of the acceptance of His perfect and “finished” sacrifice – evidenced by the coming and working of the Holy Spirit – who is the only true representative of Jesus in the world today.

Two areas of “it is finished” relative to us are:

- Christ’s sacrifice

- Our salvation

If the first act has not been completed, then neither is the second one. Dear ones, as surely as the Cross-Work of Jesus Christ is “finished” and complete, so also is the eternal salvation Jesus provided for us. We cannot become “unsaved” and face the need to be “resaved” – these beliefs are as much an insult to the Lord as the practice of “re-sacrificing” Him and as trying to achieve redemption and salvation by our own self-effort and law-keeping.

Bow down in humble worship to Him who gave His all to provide us with His free salvation. Stop trying in “self-effort” to please Him and rather start thanking Him for doing it all.

In conclusion the words of a well loved hymn:

Jesus paid it all!

All to Him I owe!

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow.

Delight in His finished work! Stop striving to attain what He has already attained for you! Start serving and worshipping Him – He’s worthy!