The Uttermost

I enjoy hymns based on specific verses. One of my favorites was written by Phil and Carolyn Cross, "Saved To The Uttermost:"

I could tell of the story when the thousands were fed,
When He lifted the sick, when He raised up the dead.
I could sing of the others like the blind made to see,
But I'd rather tell you what's happened to me.

Yes – tell our witness to others, what Jesus has done in our lives. That’s the message we need to get across:

I'm saved to the uttermost and I know that I am.
Washed in the blood of the precious lamb.
Through the Father, through the Son, through the Holy Ghost,
I'm saved to the uttermost.

Oh, there are other verses about our names in the Book of Life, that we are children of the King, that good living alone is insufficient and that we have blessed assurance (which is a whole 'nother song and Bible verse) - all based on scripture that tells the good news that we are saved through God's grace.

Too many people stumble over the simple items. First stumbling block is that all have sinned and come short (that's a verse, too). We think we haven't, and that's called denial. Have you taken something that was not yours? You've broken a commandment which makes you a thief. I have - a pen, pencil, paperclip, something so simple. It's the same as taking jewelry or cash. It wasn't ours.

Others stumble over being good. Most think they are, judging by other people. We are responsible for ourselves, though, not by standards set by ourselves or others. We are answerable to God's standards.

Jesus explained those to Nicodemus:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:3-7 KJV)

Yep, there it is – that ‘born again’ phrase that turns off so many people. Yet it is part of the introduction to the verse we first learn, that almost everyone knows:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Accept that, accept Him, then come to understand how we are saved to the uttermost:

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 KJV)