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1995-07-27
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HE IS ABLE TO SAVE FOREVER
Hebrews 7:25
By Jon Quinn
What number do you dial in case of an emergency? "911" is the
number that you would call in many communities across the United
States. We have witnessed countless dramatizations of rescues on TV
which were carried out because of a series of actions which began
with a phone call. It is thrilling to watch a successful rescue from a
life-threatening situation. Several times I have shed a tear or two
upon seeing the immense gratitude of parents when it had been their
child who had been saved. I can identify with that.
How I wish that more people would place more importance on
their children's souls, as well as their own souls, with more care
given in saving them and in keeping them saved. We would not think
too highly of a parent who, upon having their child rescued from a
raging, swollen river, allowed the child to return to the river's edge
to play.
The most horrible experience anyone will ever endure is that of
leaving this world unprepared to meet God. We will sink and die in
sin unless we are rescued. Jesus said that it would be "better" for us
to drown in water than to drown in sin and be lost; and that it would
be "better" to lose a hand or foot or eye than to have these things
and be lost forever (Mark 9:42-48). Not many view life in that
perspective today. Many would say that to believe such a thing is
crazy. But this is what Jesus said, and He has seen the whole picture.
He knows what eternity is like. He knows better than us the eternal
consequences of sin. He knows how important it is that we be saved
from a fate that truly is "worse than death."
Have you been rescued? Have you seen your loved ones pulled
from the flames by Jesus? Are they safe? If so, shed a tear of joy and
thank God that He has responded to our need in such a wonderful
way. Make sure you do what you can in word and action to ensure
that your loved ones stay safe in His care.
If your loved ones are still in need of rescue, let them know of the
danger and that there is one who is willing to save them. He is able
to do for them what no other can do. He is willing and able to save
them forever!
"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).
HE IS ABLE
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all
we ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us, to
Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations
forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20,21). Every child of God
needs to possess a strong confidence in Jesus' ability. It is so pathetic
to see members of His body filled with doubts; always struggling but
never growing. Its as if Jesus' hand is extended to help them, but
they insist on floundering about in the water until they drown.
The Greek word translated "able" in our text is "dunatai." This
means to have the power to do something. It is the same word used
by the father of the possessed boy who came to Jesus and begged
"But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" Jesus
responded, "If you can!' All things are possible to him who believes."
The boys father replied, "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark
9:19-27).
Jesus is able to save us forever. He is able to make us into what we
ought to be. To sit back in unbelief and ignore His strength is
foolishness. If we fail to enter heaven, it will be because of our own
foolishness. Do you believe that Jesus is able? Then live like it!
TO SAVE FOREVER
"But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of
those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:39).
The Greek word for "forever" is "panteles" and means "complete,
perfect, absolute." In the context, the absolute nature of the salvation
has to do with time. It is forever.
Once we enter into heaven, we will have been rescued forever.
The dangers, all of them, will be over. The struggles we have
endured will be a thing of the past. The future will be guaranteed.
"...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst; but the water I shall give him shall become in him a well of
water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14).
THOSE WHO DRAW NEAR TO GOD THROUGH HIM
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from
you. Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you. Cleanse
your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-
minded." (James 4:7,8). Drawing near to God requires submission
unto Him as well as resisting the devil. It involves turning from sin
and becoming focused on our first priority. To continue in sin will
cause us to be lost; but please notice that to allow things of this world
to detract us from the spiritual will do the same. If we are trying to
serve two masters we will fail. Jesus said we cannot serve both God
and mammon. Jesus knows we cannot be "double-minded." Too many
members of the church are trying to serve both.
The Hebrew writer uses the Greek word "prosercomai" which
means "to approach." We can walk with God as we have our access
unto Him through Jesus. He is our only mediator and approaching
God is impossible apart from Him (John 14:6; I Timothy 2:5).
Certainly it is wise to remove those obstacles from our lives which
interfere with our walk with God.
HE ALWAYS LIVES
"...Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One;
and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the
keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:17b-18). Our hope lives
because Jesus lives. The same power by which Jesus arose from the
grave is available for us. The Scriptures state; "...who was declared to
be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead,
according to the spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans
1:4). His resurrection gives hope to all those who share in His
resurrection. This is something in which you are to share right now.
Of course, there is the physical resurrection of the future for
which we must wait; but there is also a spiritual resurrection from
spiritual death unto spiritual life. The Scriptures explain that when
we are led by our faith to be baptized into Christ's death that we
become united with Him; "Therefore, we have been buried with Him
through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in
newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the
likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His
resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him,
that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no
longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died has been freed from sin."
(Romans 6:4-7).
Jesus is able to save forever those who draw near to God because
He is alive. When we are raised with Him from baptism, we are to
walk in a new way. The Bible simply does not talk about Jesus being
the Savior of those who continue in sin, unrepentant and will not
obey Him (Hebrews 5:9; 10:26-31).
TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM
"...who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes,
rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also
intercedes for us." (Romans 8:34). As Christians, we will find
ourselves in the minority when it comes to our perspectives on life,
morality and righteousness. Some will mock and ridicule. There will
be false charges leveled (see to it that charges of evil against are not
true - I Peter 4:12-16). Never forget that our intercessor will outlast
our detractors. He always lives to make intercession for us. He will
come again.
There has been no greater rescue than that which was
undertaken to save us from our sins. Jesus is our redeemer. It was
He who gave no thought to His own safety and comfort, but
responded to bring hope to the hopeless. How shall we then react to
His mercy?
Contact the writer:
JWQuinn@AOL
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