Read: Hebrews 7:23-28
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him (Hebrews 7:25).
Able To Save To The Uttermost
We saw yesterday how our text for today kindled faith in a man’s soul for entire sanctification. What does it mean to be saved “to the uttermost”? Verses 23 and 24 clearly indicate the idea of duration. Earthly priests could help only for a short time because human life is limited. But Christ “ever liveth to make intercession.” This is a glorious truth, but there is more.
Christ is a better High Priest not only because He has a longer ministry; He also has a better one. The system of the former priests “made nothing perfect” (v. 19). By implication these priests were unholy, defiled, and sinners by nature (v. 26). They could offer nothing better than they had. But Christ is different. He offers us freedom from all sin. Weymouth translates verse 26, “Such a High Priest as this was exactly suited to our need — holy, guileless, undefiled.”
The Greek word for uttermost is used only one other time in the New Testament (Luke 13:11). It means wholly or completely. When the author of Hebrews declares that Christ is able to save to the uttermost, he means that Christ has the power to save us completely and perfectly. He can save us not only from the guilt and punishment of sin, but also from its nature and power. In another passage the author says of Jesus: “He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11). This sanctification in its wider meaning includes cleansing from all sin and the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is received by faith.
It is this complete salvation of which we sing:
Saved to the uttermost! Cheerfully sing Loud hallelujahs to Jesus, my King. Ransomed and pardoned, redeemed by His blood, Cleansed from unrighteousness — glory to God!
— W. J. Kirkpatrick