Samuel at Gilgal

J. C. Ryle:

Christ is able to save to the uttermost, notwithstanding the terrors of the judgment day. Mark how St. Paul rests upon that in the 8th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans,–in that wonderful conclusion to that wonderful chapter,–a chapter unrivalled in the Word of God for privilege, beginning with “no condemnation,” and concluding with “no separation!” Observe how he dwells upon Christ’s intercession in connection with the judgment of the last day. After saying, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies,” he goes on: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” The thought of Christ’s intercession, no less than His dying and rising again, was one ground of the Apostle Paul’s confidence in looking forward to the great day. His strong consolation was the recollection of a living Christ. That consolation is for us as well as for St. Paul. We have an ever-living, ever-interceding Priest. Christ is not dead, but alive.

Christ is able to save to the uttermost throughout all eternity. “I am He,” He says, “that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” (Rev. i. 18.) The root of the believer never dies, and the branches, therefore, shall never die. Christ being “raised from the dead, dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.” (Rom. vi. 9.) He lives, that all who trust in Him may receive honor and glory to all eternity; and because He lives, His believing people shall never die. “Because I live,” to use His own words, “ye shall live also.” (John xiv. 19.) We have an ever-living, ever-interceding Priest. Christ is not dead, but alive. (“Able to Save”)

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