| “Therefore he is able to save completely [or, in the KJV: “to the uttermost”] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” |
| —Hebrews 7:25 |
The word “uttermost” seldom appears in print today. It means “to the maximum degree” or “to the farthest extent.” So, “uttermost” means, in today’s parlance, “to the max!”
As a youngster, I encountered the word “uttermost” in the King James Version—or Authorized Version, as it is sometimes called—of the Bible. It appears nineteen times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. In each case, the word “uttermost” is used to describe something to the maximum, either in dimension or extent.
I mention this word “uttermost” because, as a child, I often wondered to what extent did the salvation reach. We have learned that God has given us salvation through His Son, Jesus. Yet, if I chose to continue to sin over and over and over again, would God’s salvation still apply? Or, what if I had already reached my “quota” of sinning? Would God still forgive me the next time I sinned?
The answer to my question—perhaps a silly, childish question—is found in the words of the writer to the early Hebrew Christians, as recorded in Hebrews 7:25. Here, the writer is speaking of Jesus:
Therefore he is able to save completely [or, in the KJV: “to the uttermost”] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
At the beginning of this new day, it is very comforting to me—and I hope to you, too—that no matter how many times we slip and fall into sin, God’s salvation reaches to the farthest possible extent and covers the maximum dimension. He has saved us to the uttermost—to the max.
When we consider what being saved to the uttermost means in our daily walk with God, I can’t help but remember that back in 1960, The Rodeheaver Company obtained a copyright for a song written by Gloria Roe. The song was published in at least one hymnal in 1966.
Even before that, Word Publishing Company had issued several versions of the song. And, Thurlow Spurr recorded the song as part of his album “Yours and His.” The “Anchored in Christ” gospel singing group that I sang with in high school often used this song to close our concerts. It became one of the most requested songs that we performed.
I wish I could share a recorded version of this song with you. But, alas, I cannot find any version of it that’s been dubbed from vinyl to an electronic medium.
The song is entitled “So Great Salvation.” It is certainly one of Gloria Roe’s most memorable compositions. The tune is written in the style of a ballad. But, the melody has a very soft, dreamy quality to it that serves to enhance the earnestness of the words.
So great salvation has won my heart,
From the Creator, it had its start;
First He made man to live a life complete,
He then the choice did give His will to meet.
Since that sad moment when man did fail,
God in His mercy still does prevail;
For our redemption a plan He gave—
So great salvation, our souls to save.
So great salvation has changed my heart,
My life’s ambition He did impart;
A new desire to live, His will, not mine,
His righteousness He gives, He is divine.
Now all around I see sin’s poverty,
God in His goodness can make us free;
For our redemption a plan He gave—
So great salvation, our souls to save.
Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018
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