December 11

"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."—Hebrews 7:25.

THIS interesting and delightful passage has been the means of encouraging many a penitent to look on him whom he has pierced, with the hope of pardon; and many a backslider to look again towards God's holy temple. Let us contemplate

THE PARTICULAR CHARACTERS DESCRIBED. "Them that come unto God by him." This is a short but beautiful description of believers. What is implied in coming to God by Christ? A belief in the existence of God. "He that cometh to God, must believe that he is." This is at the foundation of all true religion. "If the fool should say in his heart there is no God, every pulse of that heart replies, there is; and every action of that vital organ adds, He is thy Maker." An acknowledgment of human guilt. The penitent sinner comes to God confessing his sins and iniquities, which have deserved the Divine wrath and indignation. A reliance on the merits of Christ. We come unto God by him. As the guilty worshipper under the Mosaic economy came before God, and sought peace and pardon through the medium of the sacrifice he presented; so the penitent sinner draws near to God, in the name of Christ, and looks for the Divine favor by virtue of the atonement of the Son of God.

THE EXTENT OF THE REDEEMER'S POWER. "He is able to save to the uttermost;" that is, He is able to save the most notorious sinners. Here we might allude to many recorded in Scripture, whose sins were of an aggravated nature, but who obtained mercy. He is able to save the most aged sinners. He can pardon, sanctify, and save, those who have lived a long life of rebellion against his righteous authority. None are so old but that they may be born again. He is able to save to the last. He can impart the light of grace when the flame of life is just expiring. There is the instance of the thief on the cross. "Here is one such instance," said Augustine, "that none might despair, and only one that none might presume." It is a true but affecting remark, that death-bed repentance is, in many cases, but the flashing of the flame that is never to be quenched, and the first gnawing of the worm that never dies. "Therefore to-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."