216. HEB 7:25. CHRIST’S SAVING ABILITY
Heb_7:25. Christ’s Saving Ability
"Wherefore he is able to save them to the utter most that come unto God by him."’97Heb_7:25.
The apostle had been discoursing concerning the dignity and superiority of the priesthood of Christ over the priests of old. This was manifest especially in the greatness of his person, the unchanging perpetuity of his office, and the superlative preciousness of his sacrifice. Every thing connected with Christ’s priesthood was better than those of old. The dispensation, the promises, the testament, the surety, all better.
The deduction from the whole is, "Wherefore he is able to save," &c.
The text exhibits,
I. Christ’s Saving Ability.
"Able to save to the uttermost."
And,
II. The Characters whom it embraces.
Those who "come unto God by him."
The text exhibits,
I. Christ’s Saving Ability,
"Able to save to the uttermost"
Let us notice,
1. The Nature of this ability.
Jesus possesses,
(1) Meritorious ability.
As the sacrifice for sin, he had infinite efficacy within himself. His blood possessed boundless virtue, and was precious beyond human conception. As such it satisfied all the claims of the law, and made perfect atonement for human transgression Every demand was met, and fully discharged. Hence, by the shedding of his blood, he hath obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb_9:26; 1Pe_1:19; Joh_1:29. Jesus possesses,
(2) Official ability.
God sent him expressly to be the Saviour of the world. It is his prerogative, and his only. He was anointed, lived, and died expressly for this. God raised him from the dead, and exalted him to his own right hand, that he might be a Prince and Saviour. Men may preach, and angels minister, but Jesus is the only Saviour of a ruined world. He possesses,
(3) Efficient ability.
Not only has he merit, and official authority, but he has also the power requisite for the gracious undertaking. All power belongs to him, both in heaven and on earth. No case too hard, no spiritual malady too inveterate. In the days of his flesh, at his word the deaf heard, the blind saw, the dumb spake, lepers were cleansed, devils expelled, and the dead raised. His arm is not shortened; his power is still omnipotent and immutable.
Jesus also possesses,
(4) Gracious ability.
He is as willing as he is able to save:
"His love is as great as his power,
And neither knows measure nor end."
He wants to save; he delighteth in mercy; and is always ready to pardon. Hence he says, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."
But observe also,
2. The Extent of Christ’s saving ability.
He is able to save "to the uttermost."
He is able to save,
(1) From all the present and future consequences of sin.
From its guilt, power, pollution, and love; from the dread and remorse it creates; from despair at death, and from eternal wrath.
He is able to save,
(2) Into all the positive enjoyments of the Divine favor.
Justification, regeneration, adoption, holiness, peace, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
He is able to save,
(3) From the lowest depths of sin and misery.
The most criminal, vicious, and impure. The chief of sinners. Murderers, as Mahasseh, the dying thief, the murderers of Christ, &c. He can save the most daring and reckless’97Magdalene, Saul of Tarsus the lascivious Corinthians. No shade of guilt too dark, no accumulation of crime too great, no enormity of transgression, can surpass his saving power. He can forgive the thousand-pence as easily as the fifty-pence sinner.
He is able to save,
(4) At the last extremity of life.
The case of the malefactor is left on record to show that, at the last instant of existence, he can snatch souls as brands from the burning.
He is able to save,
(5) From the beginning to the end of our world’s duration.
Abel, one of the first of the human family, he saved. And during every period from that to the present, has he been displaying his saving power. That ability is still unimpaired, and will retain all its wonted power, until the last sinner of our fallen world shall be brought from darkness to light, and from Satan to God. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday," &c.
He is able to save,
(6) All and every man within our world’s circumference.
None too poor, and none too polished; none too far from heaven, or too near perdition. His resources are amply sufficient for each, for all, and every human being. Color, language, clime, or condition affect not his power to save.
He can save,
(7) Into all the inconceivable glories of eternal life.
He can save now; he can save in adversity, temptation, persecution, affliction, and death. He can save beyond death and exalt his believing people to all the interminable glories of endless salvation. His salvation is eternal. Eternal inheritance, crown, kingdom, and pleasures forevermore.
Notice,
II. The Characters whom this Salvation embraces.
Those who come unto God by Christ.
This implies,
1. Our distance from God.
And in coming to God we must be sensible of it, feel it, deplore it, &c.
In coming to God is included,
2. The movement of the heart towards him.
Convinced of our helplessness and ruined estate; anxious for God’s forgiving mercy; earnest supplication for his gracious aid, &c. Prodiga., publican; the three thousand, &c. Jailer, &c.
3. The reception of God’s favor through Jesus Christ Christ received and trusted in, as the only Mediator between God and the soul. Hands laid on his sacred head. Jesus all and in all. Nothing pleaded but his obedience’97nothing seen but his cross.
Application
Here see,
1. The greatness of the salvation of the Gospel.
2. Supreme dignity and power of the Redeemer.
3 The only way to obtain eternal life.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS