30 The Savior's Ability
The Savior’s Ability
"Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost, those who come to God by him, because he ever lives to make intercession for them!" Hebrews 7:25 This is a most precious portion. It has cheered many a drooping heart. It is full of the richest consolation. Jesus ever lives. He is a great High Priest. He has, by offering up himself as a sacrifice for sin, made an infinite atonement, on the ground of which the vilest may be saved. There are no limits to its efficacy. No case can now be desperate. No sinner need, or should despair. There is pardon through the blood of Christ. Pardon for the vilest! Pardon for every one who feels he needs it, and who is willing to be pardoned for the sake of what Jesus has done! To doubt this, is to doubt the truth of the gospel. To fear that God will not pardon a sinner, who applies to him in the name of Jesus — proves that we do not understand the gospel, or that we do not believe it. Jesus can save to the uttermost of human guilt. He has saved the chief of sinners, and by so doing has proved that he can save all who come unto God by him. All things are possible to him, for he is God; the salvation of sinners is especially his work, as he is God-man. That he may save sinners to the uttermost, and save them for evermore — he died in their stead and ever lives to make intercession for them.
Suppose the worst case you can. Suppose that someone could be justly charged with all the sins, of all the sinners in London; with all the sins of thought, of word, and of deed, committed in London in fifty years. If that one were to come to God by Jesus, could he save him? He could. He could not only save him — but save him easily, honorably, and so as to bring eternal glory to God by his salvation! If you, reader, were that sinner, and if you felt your sinful state, were conscious of your guilt, though ten thousand fears may arise in your heart, and the most gloomy doubts possible harrass your soul; yet if you go to God by Jesus — he would save you immediately, and save you for evermore. He can save any sinner without an exception, who applies to him, and he will save all such. His precious blood cleanses from all sin.
"He is able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto God by him." By nature every sinner is afar from God. Sin is turning the back upon God, and running away from God. The sinner, like the prodigal is in a far country. He is gone astray like a lost sheep. But in order to his coming to God, he is quickened by the Holy Spirit. He discovers his true state and condition. He thinks. He feels. He fears. He scarcely knows what to do. He comes to himself. His thoughts are directed to God. The gospel meets his case. A desire for reconciliation to God springs up in the soul. He would not only be pardoned, and so be saved from Hell; but be reconciled to God and walk in friendship with him — and so be prepared for Heaven. He is made willing to come to God in his own way. That is, in the way set forth in the gospel. Not by works of his own performing — but by faith in the perfect work of Christ. Not by the ceremonies of the law, or the assistance of a human priesthood — but by Jesus Christ alone.
Those who come to God by Christ, come believing his gracious promise, and encouraged by his most free invitation; they come confessing their sins, and acknowledging that they deserve condemnation; they come seeking for salvation through Jesus Christ. They plead his blood, they trust in his merits, and expect to be accepted and saved only for his sake. Self is entirely renounced, and Jesus alone is trusted. They have no confidence in anyone but him, nor do they expect anything from God, but through him. He is the way by which they pass into the presence of God. He is the plea which they use before God. He is the great High Priest, whom they entrust with all things pertaining to God. They come out of self, away from sinners, and draw near to God. For such he is mighty to save, almighty to lead them to Heaven. For all who come unto God by him — Jesus ever lives to make intercession. He presents himself before the Father for them. He points to Gethsemane and Calvary, and like the High Priest of old — he presents the blood which he shed, before the mercy-seat. He lifts up his nail-pierced hands, presents his wounded side, and thorn-crowned brow — and, as it were, says, "For that sinner I suffered on earth! For that sinner I bled and died! In that sinner’s salvation I feel the deepest interest. Father, forgive his sins, blot out his transgressions, listen to his prayers, grant his requests, and for my sake — save his soul. I have obeyed the law which he violated, I have suffered the penalty which he incurred, I have shed my blood for his salvation; and now honor me — by saving him!" For all who come unto God by him — Jesus desires and asks for the pardon of all their sins, that they may enjoy peace with God, that they may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and that they may receive a full salvation. His desires are always gratified, his requests are always granted, and consequently all who come unto God by him are saved.
He knows every one that comes to God by him. Not one can possibly escape his notice. He observes . . .
every eye which is directed to his cross;
every heart which desires salvation in his name; and
every suppliant who pleads with God for his sake. As he knows such — so also he feels the deepest interest in them. He can get glory by their salvation. They are the seed promised him. He views them as the reward of his sufferings and death. He is nearly related to them, for having taken their nature, he is become their Brother. He therefore feels for them, a brother’s love; and pleads for them, with a brother’s earnestness.
He is solemnly engaged for all such:
they are the sheep, of which he is the Shepherd;
they are the parties, for whom he is an Advocate;
they are the sinners, whom he came to save from their sins.
He will be glorified in them on earth now, he will be glorified in them when he comes again a second time, and he will be glorified in them for ever. He ever pleads for them, and he always prevails. He cannot intercede in vain. The Father always hears him. He only pleads for what God is pleased to bestow, and therefore there can be no doubt of success. All who come unto God by him shall be saved, let their character, condition, or circumstances be what they may. My dear friend, are you coming to God? Are you coming to God as a poor lost sinner? Are you coming to God for pardon, reconciliation, peace, and holiness? Are you coming to God by Jesus, by Jesus alone? Do you renounce all other ways and methods — and seek to be heard, accepted, and saved — for the sake of Christ alone? If so, you have turned your back upon the world. It has lost its charms; it no longer has power to attract, fascinate, and bewilder you. Your eye is fixed upon the cross. That is the object which attracts, affects, and suits you.
You seek salvation only through the blood of Christ. Your heart reposes on the promise of God. The promise that your sins shall be pardoned, that your prayers shall be heard, that your needs shall be supplied.
But, if you are not coming to God — then you are going from God.
If you are not coming to God by Jesus — then you are going from God with Satan.
If you are not in the way to Heaven — then you are in the way to Hell.
If you do not come to God by Christ now — then you will be driven from God by the sentence of Christ soon.
If he does not save you now, while he is on the throne of grace — then he will adjudge you to everlasting destruction, when he is seated on the throne of his glory.
Come then to God — to God by Jesus — to God for a present salvation — and everlasting life is yours! He waits to be gracious unto you, he is exalted to have mercy upon you. He is ready to receive you this moment — to pardon your sins, to justify your person, to introduce you to his Father, and to fill you with all joy and peace in believing. If Jesus does not save you, no one else can — but he will not, unless you come unto God by him.