Uttermost

This word has fallen into disuse as the new translations of the Bible use other words to translate the original Hebrew or Greek and I think that's a shame because it is a great word. I am so passionate about this word that I preached on it on Sunday, talked about it at Cell group and now I'm blogging on it too.

I love it that the depths of God’s passion are to the uttermost. I love it that God’s vision for his world and his people is to the "uttermost" I love it that God's reach is to the uttermost.

Jesus, fulfilling the will of the Father is determined to do his uttermost, to the uttermost extent with the uttermost ability and with the uttermost results.

Hebrews 7:25 “He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us."

This verse connected with two things especially this week. I have had a a burden to pray for a Moslem friend, who has been to Mecca for Ramadam. The Holy Spirit has reminded me to pray for him and his family every single day he has been away. This verse reminds us that God is able to save to the uttermost "those who come to God through Jesus." I am praying that that our friend will have a revelation of Jesus and God will protect him from harm whilst he is away.

The other thing was the interview in the Salvationist with the Chief of the Staff. In it she recalled her time in Zimbabwe, when often she had to stand between gunmen and the children in her care. There were many atrocities which she witnessed and tried to report but her leaders didn't believe her. They said, "No human being would do that to another."
But mankind can and frequently does go to the "uttermost" of depravation but even then, hallelujah he is "able to save"

But the up close and personal challenge for me and our congregation is "Are we "uttermost" Christians?
Does our reach go as far as God's?

Have we allowed God to do his work in us to the uttermost extent?

Believe him! the holy one is waiting
To perfect within you what grace has begun;
God wills for his people an uttermost salvation;
To sanctify you wholly the Spirit will come.

For some of us it is one thing that prevents us being "uttermost" Christians.

The one thing may be a stumbling block over something in the word of God. We find it hard to believe this “one thing”. But because we doubt that one thing we can’t make much sense of the rest of it.
The “one thing” may be a festering splinter. A resentment, a bitterness, an area where we haven’t forgiven someone or even ourselves.
The “one thing” may be an idol. The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to gain eternal life and Jesus and it was to let go of one thing.
These are all things that we need to hand over to Christ.

Paul on the other hand had one thing that he would loved to have got rid of. He called it his “thorn in the flesh” He prayed and prayed about it but it wouldn’t go away. He could have said, "I could be an uttermost Christian if only God would release me from this burden." However he didn't say that. He said instead, "His grace is sufficient” In other words the grace of Jesus was able to provide to the uttermost just what he needed to handle it.

Yours "to the uttermost"

Carol