The Finished Work

The Finished Work of the Cross

Welcome to the “essentials of healthy community” series. Here is an essential truth as we grow in the grace and love of God together: 

That we would be a people that rests in the finished work of the cross.

When Jesus died, he announced “it is finished!” An old convent relationship with God ended and a new way of relating was born. In other words, we are going from a relationship with God that depended on our effort, diligent striving, and religious devotion/obedience and sacrifice, into a new way of relating with God. One that is marked by resting in what God accomplished and achieved through Jesus. 

We can now recognize the efforts of Jesus on our behalf. We place our trust in His striving! His devotion! His obedience! And His sacrifice! Where we once identified ourselves by our own human effort and achievements, we no longer do so. We use to define ourselves by our abilities, but now we identify ourselves by His abilities on our behalf! This is known as the “great exchange” or “imputed righteousness.” It leads us into a relationship marked by rest and enjoyment of what is freely given by grace. Our eyes have been lifted from our performance onto the performance of Jesus!

We recognize the number one lie of religion has always been to convince the people of God that they must DO something to attain something they actually already possess in Christ. This lie moves the believer’s eyes off the finished work of the cross, and back onto their human performance. The serpent suggested that Adam and Eve must eat the forbidden fruit in order to become like God, but the truth is that they were already born in the “image and likeness of God.” The devil even attacked the identity of Jesus saying “if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread…” “If you are the son of God throw yourself down…” (Matt. 4:3,5) The truth was that Jesus was already God’s chosen son and didn’t need to do anything to become someone he already was.

Religion perpetually enlists us to work for something “greater.” Believers will always chase a “coming revival” or the “next big move of God.” Many believers are trying to prove their faith by their good deeds. Countless prayer gathering spend endless hours beseeching heaven to open, crying out for the kingdom of God to come down, and trying to “shift the atmosphere." But to rest in the finished work of the cross, means to identify that the blood of Jesus was enough. That the cross is a finished and complete work that has brought humanity into permanent union bliss with Abba God. No further work can accomplish this feat. This union bliss is solely and completely accomplished in and through the work, person, and faithfulness of Jesus. 

Jared and Jordan Gustafson

Hi, we’re Jared and Jordan!

It all began when Jared approached Jordan’s table at the Yellow Deli after overhearing her talk about serving at a local youth camp. A conversation turned into connection, and before we knew it our worlds collided: Jared passionate and spontaneous, Jordan intentional and steady; together we find a way to balance each other.

Jared has spent over 15 years on the front lines as an EMT working on an ambulances and at an emergency department. Later, he earned a master’s degree and stepped into the world of pediatric medical social work and mental health, walking alongside children and families through cases of trauma and abuse. He’s led humanitarian projects in Kenya and Mexico. He loves public speaking about the importance of living a well-integrated, communal life. But the thing that lights him up most, is talking about the grace and love of Jesus.

Jordan is a California girl at heart. Her love for health, wellness, and the environment led her to complete a degree in Environmental Studies. She really comes alive mentoring and encouraging youth, especially teenagers. She both loves intentional and purposeful community, and spontaneous travel. Jordan’s on her Eat, Pray, Love journey lol, soaking up culture and learning to integrate it into daily life. She is always wanting to laugh, a master at “not taking life too seriously.” She’s also a proud pit bull rescuer with a tender heart for lost pups.

Together, we really enjoy people. Jared goes wide, making friends everywhere (literally everywhere), and Jordan goes deep, nurturing and deepening those friendships. We both have strong personalities, which means we clash sometimes lol, but it also means we’re daring and determined to dream big. Whether we’re traveling, serving, or rescuing strays, we’re breaking free from the ordinary and building a meaningful life, filled with laughter, and rooted in the love of Jesus.

Thanks for joining out wild journey. Hope you smile along the way.

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New Natures

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His Fullness