The “Finished Work” is not just a theological concept to be studied; it is a reality to be inhabited. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He wasn’t merely announcing the end of His suffering; He was declaring the end of the Law as a system of relating to God. To walk in the Finished Work means to live in the permanent results of His victory rather than trying to achieve a victory of your own.
How do you know if you have truly transitioned from a toiling, Law-based mindset to a resting, Grace-based life? Here are ten signs that you are walking in the Finished Work of Christ.
1. You Have Ceased from Your Own Works
The primary sign of a Finished Work mindset is a shift from “doing to be” to “being to do.” You no longer pray, fast, or give to get God to move; you do these things because you are already joined to Him. You have entered the Sabbath rest of the New Covenant.
2. You Are Righteousness-Conscious
Instead of waking up and wondering if you are “okay” with God, you wake up knowing you are the righteousness of God in Christ. You are more aware of His perfection than your own flaws.
3. You Pray from Victory, Not for Victory
Your prayer life has shifted from begging and pleading to decreeing and thanking. You don’t ask for healing or provision as if God is holding them back; you enforce the supply that was already released at the Cross.
4. You No Longer Fear Judgment
Because you know that Jesus took your full judgment in His own body, the dread of “Judgment Day” has been replaced with the boldness of sonship. You know that as He is, so are you in this world.
5. You View Challenges from the Throne
Walking in the Finished Work means you recognize you are seated in heavenly places. You don’t look at the mountain from the valley; you look down at the mountain from your seat of authority next to the Father.
6. You Have a “Supply” Mentality
You have abandoned the poverty mindset of the world. You understand that God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing, and you expect those resources to manifest in the physical realm whenever there is a need.
7. You Are Unmoved by Personal Failure
When you make a mistake, you don’t go into a “spiritual cave” of guilt for three days. You immediately thank God for the blood of Jesus, declare your righteousness, and continue reigning. You realize your standing is based on His performance, not yours.
8. You Have No Need for External Validation
You don’t need a “ministry” or a title to feel significant. Your identity is so secure in being a son that you can serve others without needing credit, because your reward is the inheritance you already possess.
9. You Experience “Effortless” Change
You have stopped trying to “fix” your flesh through willpower. Instead, you behold the glory of the Lord, and you find that the Holy Spirit is automatically transforming your desires and habits from the inside out.
10. You Live in Constant Gratitude
The hallmark of the Finished Work is a heart that is perpetually saying “Thank You.” Since everything has already been given, your primary job is to be a professional receiver of the abundance of grace.
Conclusion
Walking in the Finished Work is the ultimate expression of faith. It is the refusal to add any of your own “toiling” to the perfect sacrifice of the Son. When you live in this reality, the “ministry of death” loses its grip, and the “ministry of the Spirit” becomes your daily experience. You aren’t a servant trying to get into the house; you are a son who owns the estate. Enjoy your inheritance today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If it’s finished, why do I still have problems?
The work is finished in the spirit realm, but it must be enforced in the natural realm through your faith and decrees. The “victory” is a legal fact; your role is to act as the ruler who implements that fact.
Does the Finished Work mean I don’t have to do anything?
It means you don’t do anything to earn God’s favor. However, you will find yourself doing more for the Kingdom than ever before, but it will be fueled by the energy of Grace rather than the exhaustion of the flesh.
How do I stay in this mindset?
By the constant renewal of your mind. The world and religious systems will constantly try to pull you back into “toiling.” You stay in the Finished Work by keeping your eyes on the Cross and your mouth full of the Word.
Can I “lose” the Finished Work?
You can’t lose the work because it was done by Jesus, not you. You can only lose your revelation of it. If you find yourself back in guilt, simply turn around and behold the Lamb again.
This article is part of a series answering difficult questions about grace and the New Covenant.