Hebrews 7:25 - Christ: The Supreme High Priest.
Hebrews 7:25 (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.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) Therefore he is able to save completely
those who come to God through him, because he always lives to
intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:25 (NASB) Hence, also, He is able to save forever
those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make
intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25 (AMP) Therefore He is able also to save to the
uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity)
those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make
petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
Sometimes called the "better covenant" (NIV), this new
arrangement is also called the new covenant or testament. It is new and
better because it allows us to go directly to God through Christ. We no
longer need to rely on sacrificed animals and mediating priests to
obtain God's forgiveness. This new covenant is better because, while
all human priests die, Christ lives forever. Priests and sacrifices
could not save people, but Christ truly saves. [The One Year Bible
Companion re Heb. 7:22-24]
What is Christ doing in heaven? He is interceding for us. By His
work the threshold of heaven is flushed with the glory of God which
will shine upon every soul who will open the windows of the soul
heavenward. As the prayers of the sincere and contrite ones ascend to heaven
Christ says to the Father, "I will take their sins. Let them stand
before you innocent." As He takes their sins from them, He fills their
hearts with the glorious light of truth and love (MS 28, 1901).
Jesus Christ is both King and Priest, and His throne is a throne
of grace (4:16). As King, He can control circumstances around you;
as Priest, He can change attitudes within you. You will experience
righteousness and peace as you yield to Him (v. 2; Psa. 72:7; 85:9-10; Isa.
32:17).
Because He is a Priest forever, He saves forever (vv. 23-25).
"To the uttermost" means "completely," "perfectly." You are secure
as long as He lives, and He lives eternally. You can live by the
power of His endless life!
A perfect salvation should lead to a life of growing maturity....
Jesus can lead you into spiritual maturity as you walk by faith
(13:20-21). [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
Enoch walked with God three hundred years previous to his
translation to heaven, and the state of the world was not then more
favorable for the perfection of Christian character than it is today. And
how did Enoch walk with God? He educated his mind and heart to ever
feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity his
prayers would ascend to God to keep him. He refused to take any course
that would offend His God. He kept the Lord continually before Him.
He would pray, "Teach me Thy way, that I may not err. What is thy
pleasure concerning me? What shall I do to honor Thee, my God?" Thus he
was constantly shaping his way and course in accordance with God's
commandments, and he had perfect confidence and trust in his heavenly Father,
that He would help him. He had no thought or will of his own; it was
all submerged in the will of his Father. {1SAT 32.2}
Days prior, spies saw the Promised Land and came back with a
report of giants and walled cities. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb,
trusted God and told the people, "The LORD is with us! Don't be afraid
of them!" (14:9). The other spies were so afraid that they gave a
pessimistic report to the people. As a result, the Israelites decided that
they would have been better off in Egypt!
It may seem strange that the Israelites refused to believe that
God would give them the land he promised them after seeing God send
plagues on Egypt, part the Red Sea, and send manna from heaven. Yet how
often do we tend to lose perspective in the same way? We trust God to
handle certain issues, but then one comes along that seems
insurmountable, and we get paralyzed by fear and anxiety. We allow our emotions
to take control, and we forget to trust the One who has led us,
protected us, and kept his promises.
When you face a seemingly insurmountable situation, don't stop
trusting in God. He brought you this far, and he's not about to let you
down. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Num.14:2-4]
If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived
into sin, He does not turn from us and leave us to perish. No, no,
that is not our Saviour. Christ prayed for us. He was tempted in all
points like as we are; and having been tempted, He knows how to succor
those who are tempted.... His atoning sacrifice we may plead for our
pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. 7BC948
You were caught committing a crime. The trial date has arrived.
The judge is known to be a no-nonsense kind of guy. The evidence is
clear. You're guilty. Then your lawyer stands up. He is your advocate
in this courtroom. He doesn't lie. He doesn't spin the story. The
first thing he says is, "This person is guilty." Now you know it's
over. But the next thing he says takes you by surprise. But remember,
Judge, that this person's guilt has already been taken. This person
doesn't need to be punished because I took the punishment myself." Your
jaw would drop, to say the least.
Your sin had to be punished. God sent his Son to pay the penalty
for you, but his work on your behalf didn't stop there. Jesus is in
heaven right now serving as your advocate, one who "lives forever to
intercede with God" on your behalf. Don't wallow in guilt. Don't be
overwhelmed by fear. The Judge is on your side. He has dealt with your sin,
and he has provided an advocate for you. You've been set free, so
live like it! [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Heb. 7:25]
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was ...
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer.
AND
Lazarus was dead!
NOW! NO MORE EXCUSES!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
And one more thing...
Let God's Word fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your
feet.
[source unknown]
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