It Is Finished, Once for All

This is an original hymn celebrating the great statement that Jesus made on the cross in John 19:30, “It is finished.” This this he signified that His work of atonement had been completed, that our sins had been paid in full. Colossians 2:13-14 records this great event this way: “God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” This song traces the implications of this fact from the time before we embraced its truthfulness to our daily struggle to lean on its message of gracious acceptance and on to its significance for eternity. Looking back and looking forward, may we strive to be “driven by the gospel’s wonder to escape a life of fear” by dwelling long and lovingly on this great statement – “It is finished!”

Lyrics

We had wandered from our Maker,
Spurned His law and shunned His care;
Lost His kindness, grace, and favor,
Knowing only dark despair.
Jesus saw us with compassion,
Would not leave us to our fate,
Left his perfect home in heaven
Came, our guilt and shame to take.

Only Jesus could redeem us,
Full atonement He has made,
Tempted, tried, yet just and righteous
Ev'ry debt His work has paid.
"It is finished!" was His triumph
Over all the law's demands,
Stricken, smitten, yet defiant,
Breaking retribution's bands.

"It is finished" is our power
To escape a life of fear,
Driven by the gospel's wonder,
Till the holy one appears.
When to glory Jesus sends us
We shall waken to the call-
Men and angels, ringing endless
"It is finished, once for all!"

 

By David L. Ward
© 2016 Hymnicity
CCLI Song #7120115