It is finished. (John 19:30)
The most uplifting words ever. Sounds simple, but they are loaded. Many people, including me, believed that we had to earn our way to heaven. We try so hard to be righteous or worthy, but always fall short.
Sometimes we compare ourselves with others—“I’m not as bad as her,” or “I could never be as holy as him.” But all our virtuousness, good works, or lack thereof, will not determine our eternity. It is simply a gift of grace so that no one can boast since no one is deserving.
We can rest assured though because the fine (penalty, ransom, reparation, restitution) has been paid. Romans 10:9 affirms, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
As a wise, old bible scholar often repeats, “salvation equals faith plus nothing.”
“…when He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down…” He had finished His work. It is complete. Fulfilled. Finished. And that’s the Good News.
Looking Up 
“He sat down…” Love it! Amen!
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Great subject Rosalie, this really needs to be explained and discussed among christians, and churches.
This may be the single most important detail of our faith that sets us apart from all other religions and also denominations that claim Christianity but are not biblical because they miss this fundamental truth.
This is the most important part of what God has done for us, and the deception that we could add anything to the sacrifice that Christ made for us causes so many to miss the true gift that God has given us. His life was sufficient and it does not need supplemented by something we could do. No matter how good we think we are, we cannot earn this nor do we deserve it, but it is given to us freely because of God’s love for us.
Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
I also thought this at one time, being brought up in the same denomination as you, that believes that if I am a good person I can go to heaven. Then I read the Bible.
I think that this truth is revealed to us by the holy spirit only when we truly make the decision to believe and follow Christ as Lord, Savior and God and seek truth, not just do church or follow some other false god.
Sorry so long, lots to say.
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Amen!
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