LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON,
OKLAHOMA
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AN UTTERMOST SALVATION TEXT:
Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. An
uttermost salvation is the need of the race. In this chapter the apostle shows
the superiority of the eternal, unchangeable priesthood of Christ as compared
with that of Aaron’s order, and urges that while “the law made nothing
perfect, the bringing in of a better hope did.” We will consider, first, why
He is able; second, the meaning and extent of an uttermost salvation, and third,
to whom it is given. I.
WHY HE IS ABLE It
is important and comforting to note that the promise and possibility of a
complete and uttermost salvation is conditioned on divine ability—“He is
able”— and not on human resources or achievements. It is not a question as
to what we can do, but what He can do. He is able, 1.
Because in offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin, He was enabled to make a
perfect and complete atonement for sin, and so to meet every demand of God and
man. 2.
He is able because He personally struggled with our common foe, and every power
of evil we may encounter, and triumphed gloriously. His victory is the pledge of
victory to His people and gives the assurance that we, too, may be “more than
conquerors.” 3.
Because He has grace and power sufficient to sustain and keep His people in
every trial of life—in all places and circumstances—and give victory over
death. 4.
Because He ever lives to perform within us all the purposes of His will and to
plead for us in the presence of God. This seems to be the special argument of
this chapter. II.
MEANING AND EXTENT OF UTTERMOST SALVATION 1.
Meaning. I quote from various commentaries and dictionaries. “To save
in the most perfect manner, so that nothing shall be wanting to complete the
salvation.” “A power of working out complete deliverance for His people.”
“He is able always to save.” “Always, and in and through all times, places
and circumstances.” “Altogether perfectly, so that nothing should be wanting
afterwards, forever.” “Utter,” means “realized or developed to the last
degree; entire and complete; beyond given limit”; greatest possible extent;
farthest point.” According to this, it is to be saved altogether, always,
perfectly, nothing wanting, beyond given limits, to the farthest point. 2.
Extent. It comprehends, the deliverance from, (a)
the penalty of sin; “Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1
Thessalonians 1:10). (b)
from the guilt of sin, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). (c)
From the pollution and defilement of sin. “He saved us by the washing of
regeneration” (Titus 3:5); “Ye are washed” (1 Corinthians 6:11). (d)
From the power of sin, “Sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14).
(e)
From the inbeing of sin, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all
sin” (1 III.
TO WHOM GIVEN All
who “come unto God by Him.” This implies a willingness to forsake all sin,
to renounce all self-righteousness, and to yield a willing and unconditional
obedience to Him. It means a personal approach to God in and by and through the
merits of Jesus Christ. “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father but by Me.” “Neither is there salvation in any other; for
there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved.” “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God.” Man doubting and denying the divinity of Christ can know an
uttermost salvation.
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