Send or Sent?


 Are You Trying to Send What God Has Already Sent? Resting in Jesus’ Finished Work

Have you ever told someone to “send it” when you meant “go for it,” only to realize you’d already sent what they needed? I recently reflected on a spiritual version of this mix-up: What if I’m misunderstanding something Jesus already accomplished in the New Testament, trying to “send” it myself when God is waiting for me to receive what He’s already “sent”? Using this analogy of “send” and “sent,” let’s explore how Jesus’ finished work invites us to rest in His grace instead of striving to deliver what’s already been done.

The Send vs. Sent Mix-Up

In casual lingo, saying “send it” is a nudge to take action—send the message, file, or vibe. But saying “sent” means the job’s done; it’s already on its way. Spiritually, we often act like God is saying “send it”—waiting for us to do something to earn His favor. In reality, through Jesus, God says “sent.” The work is complete, and He’s waiting for us to receive it.

The New Testament shows Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the ultimate “sent” package—everything we need for salvation, righteousness, and a relationship with God. Yet, we sometimes strive to “send” our own efforts, misunderstanding what He’s already delivered. Let’s unpack what Jesus accomplished and where we might be missing the mark.

What Has Jesus Already “Sent”?

Here are key things Jesus finalized in the New Testament—His “sent” gifts—that we might try to “send” ourselves:

1. Forgiveness of Sins

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid for all our sins, once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). When He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the package of forgiveness was “sent.” Yet, we might think God’s waiting for us to “send” good deeds or penance to earn it. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: salvation is a gift to receive, not a task to complete.

2. Righteousness by Faith

Through faith, Jesus’ righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). God sent this status of being “right with Him” (Romans 3:21-26). If you’re striving to “send” proof of your worth through perfectionism, Galatians 2:16 says faith alone opens the package.

3. Victory Over Evil

Jesus’ resurrection defeated sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15). This victory was “sent” to us (1 Corinthians 15:57). When we fight spiritual battles in our own strength, we’re trying to “send” what’s already won. Ephesians 6:10-11 calls us to stand in His triumph, not manufacture it.

4. Direct Access to God

As our High Priest, Jesus sent us open access to God’s presence, tearing the temple veil (Hebrews 4:14-16; Matthew 27:51). If you think God’s waiting for you to “send” rituals or spiritual achievements to approach Him, John 14:6 declares Jesus is the way—already delivered.

5. The Holy Spirit 

If you’re trying to “send” spiritual fruit like love or peace through sheer willpower, Galatians 5:22-23 shows these are gifts of the Spirit. God’s waiting for you to receive His power, not produce it yourself.

Are You Trying to Send What’s Already Sent?

If you’re exhausted from striving—chasing forgiveness, battling sin, or seeking God’s approval—you might be trying to “send” what Jesus already “sent.” Ask yourself:

Am I trying to send God my worthiness? Romans 5:8 says He loved us while we were sinners.

Am I sending atonement for my mistakes? 1 John 1:9 promises forgiveness is already sent through Christ.

Am I sending my own strength in battles? 1 John 4:4 assures us the One in us is greater.

Am I sending efforts to find peace? Jesus sent rest and purpose (Matthew 11:28-30).


Common Missteps in the Send-Sent Mix-Up

Scripture highlights where we might confuse God’s “sent” with our “send”:

Sending Works for Salvation: Galatians 3:1-3 warns against adding effort to faith’s gift.

Sending Self-Powered Growth: Sanctification involves effort, but God sent the Spirit to work in us (Philippians 2:12-13).

Sending Repeated Sacrifices: Hebrews 10:11-14 confirms Jesus’ sacrifice was sent once for all.

Sending Proof of Approval: As God’s child (John 1:12), you’ve received His acceptance.


How to Receive What’s Sent

Ready to stop sending and start receiving? Here’s how:

Study the Sent Package: Dive into Romans 5-8 or Hebrews 10 to see Jesus’ finished work.

Check Your Send Button: Are your efforts about earning or thanking? Gratitude receives; striving sends.

Lean on Community: Share with a pastor or friend to discern God’s sent gifts (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Rest in the Sent Gift: Meditate on Matthew 11:28-30 and receive Jesus’ rest.


A Personal Invitation

God isn’t waiting for you to “send it.” Through Jesus, He’s already “sent” everything you need. If you’re carrying a burden to prove yourself, lay it down and receive His grace. Colossians 2:6-7 invites us to walk in Christ with gratitude, not exhaustion.

What’s one area where you’re trying to “send” instead of receive? Drop a comment below or talk it out with a friend. Let’s embrace the freedom of God’s “sent” together!

For more, check out Galatians 2-3 or join our community for deeper discussion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Earnest Money

Image
  The Holy Spirit: Our Down Payment on Glory Have you ever made a down payment on something big—like a house or a car? That initial deposit is a promise, a guarantee that the full amount is coming. In the Bible, God uses this same idea to describe something far greater: our salvation. The Greek word ἀρραβών (arrabōn), found in 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, and Ephesians 1:14, paints the Holy Spirit as a "pledge" or "deposit" guaranteeing the full inheritance of eternal life. But what does this mean for us today, and how does it connect to the glory awaiting us? The Holy Spirit as the Earnest Payment When we come to faith in Christ, God doesn’t leave us empty-handed. He gives us His Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, as a divine down payment. This isn’t just a symbol—it’s God Himself dwelling in us, sealing us for salvation (Eph. 1:13–14). The Spirit empowers us, transforms us to be more like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18), and produces fruit like love, joy, and peace (Ga...
Read more

The body soul and spirit imagery of Acts 28:2–5

Image
  The Vivid Victory Over Evil in Acts 28:2–5: A Tapestry of Rain, Cold, Fire, and Viper In Acts 28:2–5, a seemingly straightforward account of survival after Paul’s shipwreck on Malta unfolds into a vivid spiritual narrative, painted with striking imagery by the Holy Spirit. The text reads: “And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm” (NKJV). Beneath this account lies a profound tableau: rain “standing upon” the scene, cold chilling the soul, fire kindling life, and a viper—the embod...
Read more

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness

Image
  The Total Replacement in Christ: Unveiling the New Covenant in Hebrews The Book of Hebrews presents a profound theological shift, declaring Jesus Christ as the fulfillment and replacement of the old covenant, encompassing both its moral and sacrificial dimensions. This “total replacement” introduces a new law, a new priest, a new mediator, and a new covenant, as articulated in Hebrews 7–10. Yet, this transformative truth is often overlooked, even by theological giants like Martin Luther and John Calvin, whose distinctions between the moral and ceremonial Law may have obscured the full scope of Hebrews’ message. For many Christians, including myself, grasping this total replacement took time, as the new law’s spiritual nature is subtle and easy to miss. This article explores Hebrews’ vision of Christ’s complete replacement of the old covenant, why it’s often misunderstood, and its implications for reading both the Old and New Testaments today. Hebrews’ Radical Claim: A Total Repla...
Read more