Ask The Pastor
September 2007


How are you studying the Bible?

I study scripture by scripture. I also do word searches using Strong’s Concordance. Most important of all is a relationship with the Holy Spirit, who is our teacher. (See John 14:26.)

The Bible is a book that simply means what it says, and says what it means. When comparing scripture with scripture, the truth of the Word of God is revealed, and the scriptures are clearly connected to one another. (See Joshua 1:8.)

I have been studying grace. What I see is that grace is the Word and the understanding of it toward us; or you could call it revelation of the Word.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God.” Grace is the free gift unto salvation., but Paul said to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. We are to apply the Word (grace) to all our circumstances to work out our own salvation in that area of life. There is something to grace I feel that I am not seeing, can you help?

II Peter 1:3-4 says: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Yes, the word of grace is a revelation that shows us that God is willing to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, in this case provide our own salvation. Grace is revealed in every promise, and it is received by faith. (See Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:6-8; II Corinthians 12:6-10.)

We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. (See II Corinthians 5:6-11.) It will be a fearful thing to fall into God’s hands at the end of life if we haven’t lived by faith, with sincerity and truth, and if we have not used our talents for Him. Remember, faith without works is dead. (See James 2:14-17.) While we are saved by grace through faith, our faith will produce works that verify its existence in our lives and give glory to the God who saved us.