Coming to God
W. Birch. Hebrews 7:25 Why he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them. A friend of one of the Imperial Caesars came to him with sad face and murmuring voice on account of the many troubles that oppressed him, but the Emperor replied, "Do not complain of thy misfortune so long as thou hast Caesar for thy friend." Though most of us know what it is to suffer pain and grief, and often are overwhelmed by seas of trouble, yet we do not complain so long as we have the great King of kings for our friend. His kindly eye beholds every movement of our daily lives, and His sympathising mind numbers the very hairs of our head; His strong arm holds us in the narrow path of righteousness, and when we are weary His loving heart seeks to draw us to the pillow of His breast. Having God for our Friend, none need despair. I. THE TEXT IMPLIES A SEPARATION FROM GOD. This separation is not of the body, but rather of the spirit within us, which directs our thoughts and actions. 1. It is a want of sympathy with God. Like a Christian father who has a wayward son. How near the two bodies are when the father grasps his son's hand! Alas, what a distance there is between their souls! 2. It is a separation from communion with God. There has been a time in your life when, kneeling in your chamber, you have communed with God in prayer; you have sought a blessing and have obtained it; and your daily life was a continual walking with God. But sin like a mighty ocean, has separated you from the companionship of your Heavenly Father. 3. It is also a rebellion of heart. Oh, sinner, remember that though you have ceased to love your God, He still yearns over you, and even as a mother always keeps the image of her erring son in her heart, so your God never forgets you. II. THE TEXT SPEAKS OF COMING TO GOD. III. THE TEXT DIRECTS US HOW TO COME TO GOD. 1. We come to God, by Christ, as our Saviour. We, therefore, have full liberty to come to God, seeing that Jesus has saved us from the penalty due to us on account of our transgressions of the law. 2. Jesus is to us as our Priest bringing us nigh to God. He did not seek the blood of an angel to present it to God for us; but He, the Lamb of God, presented Himself as a sacrifice for us. 3. Christ also is our Deliverer; breaking the fetters of sin and opening the door, so that we may come to God. IV. THIS TEXT COMFORTS US WITH A SWEET FACT. "He ever liveth to intercede for us." Christ's work is not yet done. We sometimes say, "It is finished." True, His sufferings for you are finished; but His work is not yet completed until He has saved you from your sins. 'Tis a great work to create a world, but 'tis a greater to make you a holy child of God. Well, we are comforted by the assurance that "He ever liveth for us." (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.