The Uttermost

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 Joni Eareckson Tada once said, "I want to live and give a Gospel that saves every day and sustains and shapes me every day." So do I. I expect that you do too. Are we? Do our lives witness to that truth? His Word says that in Him we can. To the uttermost means that there are no limits to the reach of both Him and His Word. It doesn't mean that there will not be storms, trials, and heavy obstacles. It does not mean there will be no suffering. It does mean that in all things, even the darkest things, we will be "more than conquerors" as we trust in Him. As we live in Him. What would happen in our lives if, at the beginning of every day, we declared thatg this day, we will trust that His saving grace will be abundant towards us. More than sufficient grace. Overcoming grace. Limitless grace. How can we not? Paul said that the followers of Christ will live in the power of His resurrected life. We have a risen life. It is life that infuses itself throughout our being each day throughout the day. His grace saves us, sustains us, guides, keeps us and enables us to live our lives as overcomers. This doesn't mean that we are always happy. Happiness is an emotion that depends upon our circumstances. What it means is that we are joyful. Joy is a condition that doesn't depend upon what is happening around us but is the result of His life within us. Happiness is rooted in a realm that is passing away. Our joy is anchored to an eternal realm that will never end. Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble, but to be of good cheer, for He has overcome this world. Each of us knows a great deal about trouble. We have experienced it ourselves through the death of loved ones, the collapse of marriages and homes, and losses of every kind. That is what it is to live in a world held in the grip of sin. Yet, our hope is not grounded in anything of this world, but in the One in whom all things in this world and the one to come are held together. Joni Eareckson Tada has lived this kind of life for nearly 70 years now. All while confined as a quadriplegic to a wheelchair. All while suffering great physical pain in her affliction, but in all of it, living a life that He "saves," sustains, and raises every day, and in numberless ways. He saves to the uttermost, which means His saving grace extends beyond the very worst that sin can do, and sin's last great attack is death, and death has already been overcome by life. His life. May it be that we, you and I, wherever we are, going through whatever we are, believe that, trust in that, and live that. May we live to the uttermost...in Jesus Christ. Blessings, Pastor O