Works of John Bunyan – The Greatness of The Soul, And Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; The Intercession Of Christ and Who are Privilege In It .167

 

by Thomas Sadler, oil on canvas, 1684

Christ saves to the uttermost.

Second, I shall now show you something of what it is for Christ, by his intercession, to save to the 'uttermost.' 'He can save them to the uttermost.'

This is a great expression and carries with it much. 'Uttermost' signifies to the outside, to the end, to the last, to the furthest part. And it has respect for both people and things. (Gen 49:26, Deut 30:4, Matt 5:26, Mark 13:27, Luke 15)

1. To persons. Some persons are in their own apprehensions, even further from Christ than anybody else; afar off, a great way off, yet a-coming, as the prodigal was. Now, these many times are exceedingly afraid; the sight of that distance that they think is between Christ and them makes them afraid. As it is said in another case, 'They that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid of your tokens.' (Psa 65:8) So these are afraid they shall not speed, not obtain that for which they come to God. But the text says He can save to the uttermost, to the very hindermost, those that come to God by him.

Two sorts of men seem to be far, very far from God. (1.) The town sinner. (2.) The great backslider. (Neh 1:9) But both of these, if they come, he can save to the uttermost. He can save them from all those dangers that they fear will prevent them from obtaining the grace and mercy they would need to help them in times of need. The publicans and harlots enter into the kingdom of heaven.

2. As this text respects people, so it respects things. There are some things with which some are attending that are coming to God, by Christ, that make their coming hard and very difficult.

(1.) There is a more than ordinary breaking up of the corruptions of their nature. It seems as if all their lusts and vile passions of the flesh have become masters, and they might now do what they will with the soul. Yea, they take this man and toss and tumble him like a ball in a large place. This man is not master of himself, of his thoughts, nor of his passions—' His iniquities, like the wind, do carry him away.' (Isa 64:6) He thinks to go forward, but this wind blows him backward; he labors against this wind, but cannot find that he gets ground; he takes what advantage opportunity doth minister to him, but all he gets is to be beat out of heart, out of breath, out of courage. He stands still, pants, and gapeth as for life. 'I opened my mouth and panted,' said David, 'for I longed for thy commandments.' (Psa 119:131) He sets forward again but has nothing but labor and sorrow.

(2.) Nay, to help forward his calamity, Satan [and his] angels will not be wanting, both to trouble his head with the fumes of their stinking breath nor to throw up his heels in their dirty places—' And as he was yet a-coming, the devil threw him down and tare him.' (Luke 9:42) How many strange, hideous, and amazing blasphemies have those, some of whom are coming to Christ, injected and fixed upon their spirits against him? There is nothing so common as having some hellish wish or other against God they are coming to and against Christ, by whom they would come to him. These blasphemies are like those frogs I have heard of that will leap up, catch hold of, and hang by their claws. Now help, Lord; now, Lord Jesus, what shall I do? Now, Son of David, have mercy upon me! I say these words are hard work for such a one. But he can save to the uttermost this comer to God by himself.