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I. WHAT ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND BY CHRIST BEING "ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST"?

1. The danger and calamity of those to whom He is proposed as a Saviour (2 Corinthians 5:14: Romans 5:12).

2. A power working out complete deliverance for His people.

(1) From the curse of the law (Isaiah 42:21; Galatians 3:13; Acts 13:39).

(2) From the pollution of sin (Romans 8:2).

(3) From all the artifice and power of the prince of darkness (Colossians 1:13).

(4) To support His people in death, and receive their spirits to a world of glory (Psalm 73:26; 2 Timothy 1:12; Psalm 23:4).

(5) To raise their bodies from the dissolution of the grave, and conduct their complete persons to the regions of eternal felicity (John 11:25, 44; Philippians 3:21).

(6) The efficacy of His saving grace continueth the same throughout all succeeding ages. His energy wrought from the date of the first promise (Genesis 3:15). By faith in Him the "elders obtained a good report" (Hebrews 11:2). His victorious energy still continueth the same (Hebrews 13:8).

II. WHAT EVIDENCE WE HAVE THAT HE IS REALLY SO.

1. He was commissioned by the Father for this great work (1 John 5:11).

2. He appears in His person and character, eminently fitted for the work.

3. He has done and borne all that we can imagine necessary to effect it (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 9:24).

4. He has been approved by the Father, as having completely answered this glorious design (Romans 1:4; Matthew 28:18-20).

5. He has made such gracious promises of salvation, as imply a full power of accomplishing it (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 1:15, 16; 1 Timothy 4:10; Romans 5:18).

6. He has already begun and carried on the salvation of a multitude of souls (1 Corinthians 6:11; Revelation 7:13. 14).

III. THE PARTICULAR ARGUMENT FOR IT. "He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

1. The foundation of it. His atonement (Hebrews 9:12).

2. The extent of it. The intercession of Christ is not merely His appearance before God in the body in which He suffered; but it is attended with a constant and ardent desire that His death may be effectual to the purposes designed, in bringing many sons and daughters to God (Hebrews 2:10).

3. The perpetuity of it: "He ever liveth." Even at this moment Christ appeareth in heaven for us (Isaiah 40:28).

IV. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSONS WHO ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPECT SALVATION IN HIM. Such as "come unto God by Him."

1. A sinner must come to God through Christ. His coming to God implieth —

(1) A firm persuasion on of His being and attributes (Hebrews 11:6).

(2) An earnest desire to secure His favour (Job 10:12; Psalm 4:6; Psalm 30:5).

(3) A readiness to forsake whatever cometh in competition with Him (Isaiah 26:13).

(4) A willing subjection to His service (Luke 10:27; Romans 6:13; Psalm 119:16-127).

(5) A keeping up a constant correspondence with Him (Psalm 73:23; 1 John 1:3).

2. His coming to God through Christ implieth —

(1) A deep sense of his need of a Mediator, in order to a comfortable intercourse with God. Christianity is the religion of sinners; self must be humbled, that Christ may be exalted (1 Peter 5:6). Christ is our day's-man.

(2) A full persuasion of His saving power (Mark 9:24; Matthew 8:2).

(3) A cheerful confidence in the grace of Christ (John 6:37; John 7:37; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:20).

(4) A cordial approbation of the method in which He bestows salvation (Acts 9:21; Romans 1:17).

(5) A constant care to maintain proper regards to Christ in the whole course of our walking with God (Ephesians 2:18; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:5). Reflections:

1. How great is that salvation which the Lord Jesus Christ hath wrought out for us (Hebrews 2:3; Isaiah 43:11).

2. How important is it that we all seriously inquire after this great salvation (2 Peter 1:10).

3. How great is the danger and misery of those who reject and affront such an Almighty Saviour (Revelation 6:15-17).

4. How admirable and amiable doth the blessed Jesus appear, when considered as the great Intercessor of His people (Song of Solomon 5:16).

5. With what holy boldness may the sinner draw near to God, in dependence on such an Intercessor (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22).

6. Let us adore the Divine goodness, that such a salvation is offered us in so reasonable, so easy, and so gracious a way (Romans 10:8; Luke 19:40).

7. Let us seriously examine whether we come to God by Christ (Acts 13:26).

8. Let those who have come in this manner be thankful and courageous: let them go on till the God of p ace bruise Satan under their feet, give them victory over death, and finally crown them with eternal life.

(J. Hannam.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.