Photo by Joshua Hoehne
I’m sure most of you know about Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation Worship. They are home-grown worship bands that are associated with their churches. Beginning in 1997, Passion City Church started its first Passion conference under the banner of Choice Ministries. This was held in Atlanta Georgia. Since then, they released many, many albums. I counted 23 live and studio albums!
Also, check out my reviews of Spirit Fall, Bigger Than I Thought, Whole Heart, Holy Ground, There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do, Behold the Lamb, and Glorious Day.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
The cross represents Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the final atonement required for Passion’s salvation. Works add nothing to this. By receiving it, Passion has become born again, thanking Jesus for His love in worship. Jesus also rose from the dead, defeating death and giving Passion hope of new life.
I have two issues with this song. First, Jesus was not forsaken by the Father. I’ll explain this more in section 2.
Second, the opening of Bridge stated that there is “Resurrection power over every circumstance”, has the potential to lead some into thinking that we can live a life devoid of pain. If our prayers aren’t being answered, it is our fault for our lack of faith, not because God is trying to teach us something valuable by saying “no” to us.
Score: 7/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Most of it is Biblical, except for stating that Jesus was forsaken by the Father in Verse 1.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
The cross is my beginning
That is, the beginning of Passion as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The line drawn in the sand
This is an idiom that means “a point in which one will not proceed”. In this case, this line is Passion’s former lifestyle of sin, taking the warning written in Hebrews 10:26-27 seriously.
The end of all my striving
The NASB has an interesting translation of Psalm 46:10. It says, “Stop striving and know that I am God”. Out of curiosity, I looked up in Strong’s Concordance. The literal word is “sink” or “relax”, pointing to Jesus’ offer of rest to those willing to offer Him anxiety and burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). Also, see Psalm 37:5, Psalm 55:22, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:7.
Now I am born again
That is, born of Spirit (John 3:7-8).
There, Jesus was forsaken
So I will never be
This is a controversial statement. Some believe Jesus was abandoned by the Father, because Jesus became sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21) and the Father cannot look at sin (Habakkuk 1:13), combined with Jesus’ quoting Psalm 22:1: “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. However, if we read Psalm 22 in context, the Father does not abandon the son.
For example, Verse 11 says (emphasis mine), “Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help.”
Again, Verse 19 says (emphasis mine), “But You, O Lord, be not far off; O You my help, hasten to my assistance.”
In both instances, this tells us that the Father is still near. He is not aloof. Based on the context of Psalm 22, the Father did not abandon David. He didn’t abandon Jesus either, although David felt that way. Hence, the statement “why have you forsaken me?” Jesus also showed the same feeling when quoting from Psalm 22, knowing that that Father never left Him.
His grace is my salvation
The gift of God, the work of Calvary
Grace is God’s undeserved forgiveness. It is a gift granted to us at the cost of Jesus’ life (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).
[Chorus (1)]
It is done, it is finished
As stated by Jesus in John 19:30. The word He spoke is Tetelestai, literally meaning, “paid in full”.
Christ has won, He is risen
Grace is here
Love has triumphed over death forever
He rose again, defeating death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14).
[Verse 2]
The cross needs no addition
His mercy is complete
His work was finished once and for all (Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:26-28, and Hebrews 10:10-14). Therefore, nothing else can add to it.
His love is not in question
The Son of God has spoken over me
He showed it by sacrificing for sinners (Romans 5:6-8).
[Bridge]
Strongholds bowing to the Savior
Resurrection power over every circumstance
That is, the same power that resurrected Jesus is available to us (Romans 8:11). That doesn’t mean that this power will always come to fruition in our favor, but will always accomplish God’s glory (John 14:13) on His timing (2 Peter 3:9).
His word stands final and forever
They shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35 and Luke 21:33).
It will not be shaken, He alone has won it all
He possesses an unshakable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:18-29). The second part is a summary statement of every victory by Jesus, which includes the aforementioned issue with Bridge, lines 1 and 2.
Strongholds bowing to the Savior
Resurrection power over every circumstance
His word stands final and forever
It will not be shaken, He alone has won it all
Repeats lines 1-4.
[Chorus (2)]
It is done, it is finished
Christ has won, He is risen
Grace is here
Love has triumphed over death forever
Repeats Chorus (1), lines 1-4.
It is done, it is finished
Repeats Chorus (1), line 1.
Mercy won, I’m forgiven
This is so, provided that we receive it with faith (John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 6:40, John 11:25-26, and 1 Timothy 1:15-16).
Sing His name, He is worthy of our praise, Jesus
Passion invites their audience to worship Jesus.
[Outro]
He has won, He has won
See Chorus (1), line 2.
Oh He is worthy of our praise
See Chorus (2), line 8.
Oh, Jesus, oh, Jesus
We sing your praise forever
We will worship Jesus for all eternity (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).
Score: 8/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
This song speaks of the cross, Jesus, and grace, which are themes of Christianity not lost on unbelievers. Their general conclusion is that Passion communicates Jesus’ death as a payment for….our death? Our circumstances? The end of striving? It’s not clear from an unbeliever’s perspective what the death of Jesus accomplishes. Combined with confusing terms like “born again” and “resurrection power” adds to their bewilderment.
Score: 5/10
4. What does this song glorify?
While it glorifies God that we worship Jesus for His loving sacrifice, unfathomable grace, and triumph over death, its claim that the Father forsook Jesus and that all circumstances would be thwarted leaves much to be desired.
Score: 8/10
Closing Comments
Passion’s It Is Finished is a mixed bag. While I applaud its proclamation that Jesus defeated death, offers grace, and breaks strongholds, it errs when stating the Father abandoned Jesus and contains “resurrection power over every circumstance”, which could be misleading to some. Unbelievers will probably not understand what this “resurrection power” is about or what Jesus’ sacrifice accomplishes.
I cannot recommend it for corporate worship.
Final Score: 7/10
Artist Info
Track: It Is Finished (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Passion (Feat. Melodie Malone)
Album: Follow You Anywhere (Live)
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 5:28
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2019 SHOUT! Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Jesus Culture Music (ASCAP) worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) sixsteps Music (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
05/18/2022 – Updated “Word of Faith” commentary to be consistent with other reviews. This slightly bumped up this song’s score, from 6.5/10 to 7/10. Thanks to Andrea for bringing it to my attention!
Comments
Dan R
Strongholds bowing to the Savior
Resurrection power over every circumstance more than a “Word of Faith” statement I think it references to Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Andrea
I agree that “resurrection power over every circumstance” is a little confusing and could be misleading. I think the artist could have found a better way to communicate his point. However, I am wondering if the artist was intending this line to convey the message of Ephesians 1:19-21, and Romans 8:11? The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us as believers because we have His Holy Spirit living in us…
Vince Wright
Andrea,
Thank you for your comment!
I recently had a change of mind about my criticism concerning Word of Faith and updated several reviews. I missed this song! Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
The potential confusion has nothing to do with Word of Faith, which is about my prayers forcing God to respond. In other words, the power is within my own steam, not from God! Resurrection power is available over every circumstance, but must be realized according to God’s will and glory (John 14:13). I still believe that it could potentially mislead some, but I agree about Romans 8:11. I weighted down its scoring more on the song’s message and unbeliever’s interpretation than its Biblical accuracy in an updated review.
-Vince Wright