"ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING"

Col.1:29

 

 

WHAT IS FINISHED?

 

"IT IS FINISHED" (Jn.19:30) is part of a foundational scripture that has often been taken out of context and sometimes wrongly divided. At times, it has been misapplied in a universal sense involving truth not only applicable to the past, but also to the present as well as to future and eternal things. Applying extraneous interpretations that are beyond the true scope of this particular scripture, unfortunately leads to contradiction and can result in confusion.

 

BEFORE the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, there was a certain ordained work of God that began and also a certain work that ended in Jesus' sojourn on earth. It could not be any clearer that this scripture refers to the preordained work that was done when Jesus, before his bodily death, cried out on the cross, "IT IS FINISHED." To apply this work or these words in any other way is adding error, not only to the letter but also the Spirit of this particular passage of scripture.

 

Jesus had been sent to this world by the Father to do a specific work. He was ordained to accomplish the interim will of the Father on earth in so doing. They worked together, His Father working in Him. Jesus said, "My FATHER WORKETH HITHERTO, and I WORK." Jn.5:15-17. "THE WORKS WHICH THE FATHER HATH GIVEN ME TO FINISH, THE same WORKS that I DO bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." Jn.5:36. Again Jesus said, "I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY: the night cometh, when no man can work." Jn.9:4. "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, AND TO FINISH HIS WORK." Jn.4:32-34. Surely all this has long term, ultimate and universal application in its implication; but to what specific work was Jesus here referring?

 

"I HAVE FINISHED THE WORKS"

 

What were these WORKS that Jesus did? MIRACLES were one type of work of course - Jn.2:11. There were also many other things Jesus came to perform according to the will of His Father. For one thing, in a general sense He came to overcome the things of the world, did He not? And this He accomplished during his lifetime saying, "I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." Jn.16:33.

 

Following that is revealed other specific work He was given to do which was also FINISHED. Here we are given a good overall summary of that work. "As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, THAT HE SHOULD GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO AS MANY AS THOU HAST GIVEN HIM.....I HAVE GLORIFIED THEE ON EARTH: I HAVE FINISHED THE WORK WHICH THOU GAVEST ME TO DO.......I HAVE MANIFESTED THY NAME UNTO THE MEN WHICH THOU GAVEST ME OUT OF THE WORLD....For I HAVE GIVEN UNTO THEM THE WORDS WHICH THOU GAVEST ME...I PRAY FOR THEM: I PRAY NOT FOR THE WORLD...WHILE I WAS WITH THEM IN THE WORLD, I KEPT THEM IN THY NAME: THOSE THAT THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE KEPT...THESE THINGS I SPEAK IN THE WORLD...I HAVE GIVEN THEM THY WORD....17:1-14. These things and more, Jesus did.

 

If Jesus "had not done among them THE WORKS WHICH NONE OTHER MAN DID, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, THAT THE WORD MIGHT BE FULFILLED that is written in their law, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE." Jn.15:24,25. And so He accomplished the will and works of His Father right up until the end of His natural life. A life which was despised by many religious leaders and which ended in great agony and suffering on Calvary's cross.

 

"IT IS FINISHED"

 

There on the cross, "JESUS KNOWING THAT ALL THINGS WERE NOW ACCOMPLISHED THAT THE SCRIPTURE (Psa.69:21) might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, IT IS FINISHED: and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Jn.19:28-30.

 

So what are we told here that was finished? His life was obviously at an end but it was more than that which Jesus was referring to when He said "it is finished." This passage in Jn.19:28-30 clearly says that when a sponge was filled with vinegar and put upon hyssop and put into His mouth, Jesus knew of a surety all things the Father had sent Him to accomplish up to this point had been accomplished and were now completed in the fulfillment of an Old Testament scripture. "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." Psa.69:21. Not until these things were accomplished could Jesus say, "it is finished."

 

ALL OF THE FOREGOING SPEAKS ONLY OF ONE EARTHLY PHASE OF HIS WORK THAT WAS FINISHED. It does not speak specifically of the consummate and yet to be manifested finished work of the cross which SHALL "be made evident "in due time." 1Tim.2:6. "We thus judge, that if One died for ALL then were ALL dead." (2Cor 5:14), "dead in trespasses and sins." Eph.2:1; Ro.5:12. These "all" are in contrast to "the dead in Christ" (1Ths.5:16) who are no longer dead IN sin but rather "dead TO sin." Ro.6:2. Those "dead" in 2Cor.5:14 are dead in the nature of Adam. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ SHALL ALL be made alive." 1Cor.15:22. By the obedience of One, SHALL this many also be made righteous (Ro.5:19) "but every man in his own order", rank and turn - 1Cor.15:23.

 

This finished work of the cross of which we speak here is not a universal, all encompassing completed thing that is guaranteed to be made manifest on either a personal or universal level just because we now believe it to be so. It is only a phase of completion, that regardless of ones doctrinal beliefs, is yet to end in an ultimate consummation of Christ finally being all in all - 1Cor.15:28.

 

There is a redemptive part of the Lord's work which remains to be worked into all those who do not yet have His Spirit of life. For it is very evident that not all of mankind is yet risen with Christ in newness of His Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Ro.8:9. See our study titled "Having Not The Spirit." They do not have His everlasting Spirit of life - 1Jn.5:11-13; Jn.3:16,36; 6:47. They are not yet "quickened" or raised up to sit together with Him in the grace of salvation (Eph.2:5,6) but yet remain "by nature the children of wrath." Eph.2:3. They are not His redeemed SONS - Heb.12:8; Ro.8:14. They are not yet "BORN OF THE SPIRIT." Jn.3:6-8. It is errant to believe as some do that these children of wrath are already risen with Christ and have eternal life but just don't know it!

 

In this present earthly dispensation, only "as many as have received Him" (Jn.1:12), confess and believe in Christ as their personal saviour "SHALL BE saved." Ro.10:9,10,13; 1:16. Only "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Ac.13:48. Only "IF ye then be risen with Christ" (Col.3:1) are ye saved, born of the spirit become a son and have eternal lifE. Otherwise, "ye have no life in you." Jn.6:53..

 

"Do not err, my beloved brethren." Jas.1:16. Every good gift and every perfect (free large, full) gift is from above (Jas.1:17) and the workmanship is not of ourselves - Eph.2:8-10. "It was of His own [free] will that He gave US BIRTH (as SONS) BY [HIS] WORD OF TRUTH, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures --[a sample] of what He created to be consecrated to Himself." Jas.1:18 [Amplif.]. In light of the foregoing truths, we are told that Christ died for all and that they which live and are the first fruits of the newness of His life "should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." 2Cor.5:15.

 

To apply any of the foregoing scriptures as a present and completed reality or a finished work with regards to the ultimate redemption and reconciliation of all mankind, is folly and unscriptural. The scripture does reveal however, that beyond the earthly finished work Jesus was referring to there on the cross when he said "it is finished", there is presently a sovereign new work of His Spirit that continues daily in His earthly body, the church. It is a necessary divine work ordained in the earth to progressively call, justify, sanctify and finally glorify Christ's church that it might be conformed wholly to His image.

 

"UNTIL THE DAY"

 

Jesus came to earth to do the preordained work of His Father - Ac.3:18; 10:42; Lk.24:25,27. Now since the death, burial and resurrection of His natural body, His spiritual body, the church (Col.1:18) also continues carrying out its role in this ongoing daily work. Seated together now with Christ (Eph.2:6) in various heavenly places of the church's glorious salvation, He is carrying out a new work of creation (2Cor.5:17) within each member of His body. He shall not rest UNTIL it be FINISHED. Beloved church, it is a divine progressive work, wherein ye as first fruits of His redemptive work that shall eventually involve all humanity may be assured, "being confident of this very thing, that He which hath BEGUN A good WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST." Phil.1:6.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has finished His Father's necessary work FOR mankind but UNTIL God's Holy Spirit has manifestly completed His work IN mankind, the key word in all this is the word "UNTIL or TILL." For even yet in mankind, operating "TILL the day of Christ" (Phil.1:10), "the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he (the antichrist spirit, the inner man of sin,) who now letteth (hinders) will let (continually hinder), UNTIL he be taken out of the way....with the brightness of His (the Lord's) coming." 2Ths.2:7,8. Yes, there is a work in humanity that shall remain unfinished UNTIL THE LORD COME who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness" (1Cor.4:5) "as...a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL THE DAY DAWN, and the Day Star arise in your hearts" (2Ptr.1:19), "UNTIL the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Tim.6:14.

 

The Lord's earthly work though it be of celestial origin, shall continue throughout increments of time, "UNTIL He receive the early and the latter rain" (Jas.5:7) "UNTIL the harvest" (Matt.13:30) "UNTIL the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Lk.21:24), "UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles be come in" (Ro.11:25), "TILL the whole is leavened" (Matt.13:23), "TILL He come" (1Cor.11:26), "UNTIL Christ be (manifestly) formed in you" (Gal.4:19), "UNTIL the redemption of the purchased possession." (Eph.1:14), "UNTIL the words of God shall be fulfilled" (Rev.17:17), "TILL He makes His enemies His footstool" (Heb.10:13), "TILL He hath put all enemies under His feet." 1Cor.15:25, "TILL we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph.4:13.

 

In the experiential reality of this temporal terrestrial world wherein we presently live and move and have our being, the eternal celestial work of God is not evidently manifest as finished but is well on its way toward the manifestation of an ultimate fulfillment. Though there is an eternal celestial fulfillment of truth progressively being revealed in the now, the ever present truths hidden in God's eternal purpose need still be sovereignly worked out. It needs be worked out. in all that is yet apart from Him who is the embodiment of all truth - Jn.14:6.

 

Ye brethren, who are now called to identify with and live in the eternal presence of the "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" (Rev.4:8) are called also to walk in that life, all the while "being made conformable unto His death." Phil.3:10. Therein it is that ye shall "WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE" (Phil.2:12,13) even "HIM WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS after the counsel of His own will." Eph.1:11.

 

"FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION"

 

Surely, "Known unto God are ALL HIS WORKS FROM THE BEGINNING of the world." Ac.15:18. The blueprint and every detail in it was finished from the foundation of the ages -Heb.4:3. In His omnipotence, omniscience and divine foreknowledge, He preordained these progressive works and foreknew them in all their aspects. "And God did rest the seventh day from ALL HIS WORKS." Heb.4:4.

 

What works is this speaking of? In fullness of truth, it is none other than the His implementation of the NATURAL creation which began its TEMPORAL existence when "ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS (Grk. AGES)" Heb.1:2; Col.1:16. It was these works and none other which the Bible speaks of as "THE WORKS...FINISHED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." Heb.4:3; Gen.2:2,3. "Thou Lord IN THE BEGINNING (of these ages) HAST LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH and the heavens are THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS." Heb.1:10; Jn.1:1-3.

 

All these works from the beginning, finished from the foundation of the earth, are part of the temporal creation. When their ordained purposes are finished "they shall perish." Heb.1:11. Yet there is another cosmic work that scripture reveals had its beginnings before the foundation of the earth. That is the work of redemption. The Lamb of God, the only begotten Son, was ordained to be slain to give all mankind "hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised BEFORE THE WORLD (ages) BEGAN."- Tit.1:2; Rev.13:8; 2Tim.1:9.

 

In all of His works, the Creator "has made everything beautiful in its time; He also has planted eternity in men's heart and mind [a divinely implanted sense of purpose WORKING THROUGH THE AGES, which nothing under the sun, but only God, can satisfy], yet so that man cannot find out what God has done FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END." Eccl.3:11 [Amplif.]. So though the work of the natural creation is finished there is a special selected work of His hands, namely His creation of mankind; an eternal creation of unredeemed spirit whom He is ever mindful over, and over whom he has sovereign charge. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands." Heb.6:7.

 

"HE WILL FINISH THE WORK"

 

Though at present in this temporal realm of time and ages, God has put everything in subjection to man yet at present WE DO NOT SEE ALL THINGS SUBJECTED TO HIM - Heb.6:8. Yet we are able to see the fulness and perfection of Jesus now at work in bringing many sons unto glory. This in contrast to God's finished work of creation, is a further working of God's creative power whereby Christ in us as believers, becomes our hope of the fullness of His glory - Col.1:27. "THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD (and not of yourselves) THAT YOU BELIEVE ON HIM whom He hath sent." Jn.6:27-29. We have "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" abiding as "a treasure in earthen vessels, THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER, MAY BE OF GOD, AND NOT OF US." 2Cor.4:7. In this revelational knowledge, Paul proclaimed, "I also LABOUR, striving ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING, WHICH WORKETH IN ME mightily." Col.1:29.

 

The living Word in His earthly sojourn was made flesh and dwelt among mankind in glory -Jn.1:14. Now the Spirit of Christ and divine Truth dwells not only with men, but in men in this world who receive Him - Jn.14:17; Ro.8:9,10. It is there not only to comfort but to effectually carry out God's further work in them. "When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not the word of men, but as it is in truth, THE WORD OF GOD WHICH EFFECTUALLY WORKETH ALSO IN YOU THAT BELIEVE." 1Ths.2:1.

 

This working in man which empowers men to carry out those same "WORKS OF GOD(Jn.6:28) is known as "THE WORK OF THE LORD" (1Cor.16:10) or "THE WORK OF CHRIST." Phil.2:30. The Lord saith concerning His work, "He that overcometh, and KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END, to him will I give power over the nations." Rev.2:26. This work is in no way finished!

 

It is only the Spirit of God's Word and truth in the gospel that continues to work in the earth as "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Ro.1:16. This is a work that is NOT YET FINISHED but the promise is IT WILL BE FINISHED.

 

By the power of God, a remnant of humanity is now being saved and "SHALL BE SAVED: FOR HE WILL FINISH THE WORK, and cut it short in righteousness: because A SHORT WORK will the Lord make UPON THE EARTH." Ro.9:27,28. As part of His eternal purpose, of His own will they are begat with the word of truth in the earth that they should be "a kind of first fruits consecrated to Himself." Jas.1:18. And "by one offering HE HAS PERFECTED FOR THE CONTINUANCE THOSE BEING SANCTIFIED." Heb.10:14 [Diag.Grk.]. BEING sanctified unto what? "Unto A PERFECT MAN man, unto the measure of the stature of THE FULNESS OF CHRIST." Eph.4:13.

 

"IN HIM"

 

There are many scriptures in the Bible that use the phrase "IN HIM." What does this mean?The scripture explicitly says, "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US." 1Jn.4:12. The Amplified says it like this; "If we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love [that love which is essentially His] IS BROUGHT TO COMPLETION--TO ITS FULL MATURITY, runs its full course, IS PERFECTED--in us."

 

If God's love is BEING PERFECTED in us then we know we are IN HIM for "whoso keepeth His word, IN HIM verily is the love of God PERFECTED: hereby know we that we are IN HIM." 1Jn.2:5. "And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments DWELLETH IN HIM, AND HE IN HIM. And hereby we know that HE ABIDETH IN US, by the Spirit which He hath given us." 1Jn.3:23,24; 1Jn.4:13-16; 1Jn.5:20.

 

"One major purpose of the ongoing work of Christ's Spirit whereby "He hath chosen us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love" (Eph.1:4) is that we ultimately come "to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.... ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US." Eph.3:19,20. Paul speaking of Christ's mighty power within us states, "For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living BY THE POWER OF GOD. And though we too are weak IN HIM [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him BY THE POWER OF GOD." 2Cor.13:4 [Amplif.].

 

"COMPLETE IN HIM"

 

It behooves us to know that "IN HIM WE LIVE and move, and have our being." Ac.17:28. Conversely, He lives and moves and has His being through His church. Now in the present day of the Lord, it is the church collectively that is the container of "THE FULNESS OF HIM" THAT PRESENTLY IS IN THE PROCESS OF FILLING ALL THROUGH THE PRESENCE OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN ALL HIS BODY. Yes, the church is His body, "THE FULLNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL." EPH.1:22,23; 1Cor.12:6.

 

This is but the first fruit of His working where "even so IN CHRIST SHALL ALL (when the process is finished) be made alive. But every man in his own order (which is God's own order).....(that ultimately the Holy Spirit of God) may be ALL (inclusive, made complete) IN ALL" (1Cor.15:22,28) of humanity. There is of necessity according to the working of His eternal purpose and will, a dispensation of THE FULNESS of times in the climax of the ages wherein shall be unified ALL THINGS both in the natural and spiritual universe, heading them up and CONSUMMATING AND FINISHING them in Christ - Eph.1:9,10.

 

Now to us presently (His spiritual body, the indwelt church) there is but one God, the Father, of whom are ALL THINGS, and WE IN HIM; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are ALL THINGS, and we by Him." 1Cor.8:6. Therein lies the present truth that only "IN HIM (the fulness of His Spirit) dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily (even the perfection and completeness of God's Spirit in His present church) and YE (as a corporate body and as an individual spirit ) ARE (made, mature, perfect, full) COMPLETE IN HIM." Col.2:9.

 

"COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD"

 

Only "IN HIM", in His Spirit, does ALL FULNESS dwell (Col.1:19) "and OF HIS FULNESS have all we received." Jn.1:16. As servants of Christ, let us labour fervently in prayers, that we may not only live in His Spirit but also be able to walk in it (Gal.5:25) that we "may stand PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD." Col.4:12.

 

"He that saith he ABIDETH IN HIM ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1Jn.2:6. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, SO WALK YE IN HIM: Rooted and BUILT UP IN HIM, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col.2:6-8. "And now, little children, ABIDE IN HIM; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." 1Jn.2:28.

 

K.R. McKay