Seeking God Through His Word – The Holy Bible
By Gregory S. Tate “The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible, but to know God.” (James Merritt) The Bible — God’s Word — is the most extraordinary book ever written. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, it was recorded by roughly forty authors over a span of more than 1,500 years in Hebrew, Koine Greek, and Aramaic. These authors came from diverse backgrounds, including fishermen, scribes, prophets, kings, physicians, and laborers. Composed of sixty-six books — thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament — the Bible’s content has been supported by secular historians who lived during the periods of its authorship. In addition, archaeological discoveries continue to affirm its historical reliability even today. The Bible contains over 1,800 prophecies, representing approximately twenty-seven percent of its content.1 In 2007, mathematician Chris Harrison and pastor Christopher Römhild identified 63,779 cross-references between the Old and New Testaments. Among these are 332 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, 191 of which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s first coming as recorded in the New Testament.2 In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel notes that the probability of just eight of these 191 Messianic prophecies being fulfilled is “one chance in one hundred million billion.”3 Based on this evidence, the credibility and inerrancy of the Bible become compelling. As the Apostle Paul states in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. . .” (2 Timothy 3: 16, NKJV) Simply put, we can confidently trust the Holy Bible. Why is this important? Because God has lovingly given us His Word as a guide for life. There is overwhelming historical and spiritual evidence of its truth. If you want to understand who you are, God’s purpose for your life, the meaning of existence, and how to experience peace and joy — now and for eternity — the Bible provides the answers. Jesus Christ invites us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NKJV) How, then, do you ask and seek? The answer is both simple and complex. The simple part is to immerse yourself in God’s Word — read it, study it, and pray over it with humility, an open heart, and a genuine desire for truth. Seek a personal relationship with the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The complex part is that forces opposed to truth may attempt to keep you from starting — or distract you once you have begun. God is seeking each of us. He loves us and desires our love in return. Yet love must be freely given to be genuine; therefore, God has given us free will. God set eternity in our hearts, creating within each of us a sense of His existence and eternity. (Rom 1:20, Eccl 3:11– NKJV) I encourage you to take that step of faith to accept and love Him; begin your journey toward peace, joy, and salvation. It is also important to keep the Bible as your ultimate authority. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22, NKJV) For many years, I followed teachings that I now believe led me away from the full truth of Scripture. While those within such paths may sincerely and deeply believe they are following God, certain belief systems rely heavily on teachings outside the Bible, which can limit exposure to its complete message. When Scripture is filtered or selectively emphasized – as it is in many denominational cults (e.g., Mormonism, Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witness) – it leads to misunderstandings about essential truths such as sin, salvation, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and eternal life. The Holy Bible is God’s Word. I believe it says what it means and means what it says. It does not require reinterpretation to uncover hidden meanings that contradict its plain message. Inspired by God, its authors faithfully recorded His Word for humanity. Would a loving God — who sent His Son to live among us and die for the remission of our sins — intentionally communicate in a way that confuses those seeking Him? Does God do anything serendipitously, allowing for unintentionality? I believe the answer to both questions is no. Instead, we are called to trust Him at His Word. I encourage you to commit yourself fully to Him. Read and study Scripture in its entirety. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Invite Him into your life and understand what the Apostle Paul says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9, NKJV) As Jesus Christ says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6, NKJV) Establish a personal relationship with God — get to know Him. You will never regret it.
The Deity of Jesus, the Christ
By Gregory S. Tate Jesus of Nazareth — the Christ — lived more than two millennia ago, was executed by Roman crucifixion, and, according to the foundational belief of Christianity, rose bodily from the grave on the third day. These events are supported by substantial historical testimony from both secular and Christian sources. In addition, the details of His life, ministry, death, and resurrection align with more than 191 of the Bible’s 332 messianic prophecies.1 That final and foundational event — His resurrection (victory over death) — is the cornerstone of Christian faith and a decisive testimony to His divine identity. The case for Jesus’s divinity may be traced through four converging lines of evidence: His exhibited attributes, His seven recorded “I Am” declarations, His miraculous works (most notably His resurrection), and explicit affirmations by the apostles. Considered together, these categories present a cumulative and compelling case that Jesus is not merely a moral teacher or prophetic historical figure, but Immanuel — God with us. (Matthew 1: 23) His Attributes Eyewitness accounts consistently portray Jesus as compassionate, pure, charitable, humble, honest, grateful, forgiving, and selfless in His love for others. As we reflect on His life, we see a character marked by perfect holiness and boundless mercy. By contrast, the historical record contains no accounts of negative character or behavior. Jesus showed deep compassion and tender love to those He healed: the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, and those suffering from leprosy, mental illness, or bleeding. In every act of healing, His heart for the broken and suffering was on full display. His forgiveness is beautifully evident in His treatment of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11), the paralytic (Mark 2:5), the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears (Luke 7:48), and the criminal crucified beside Him (Luke 23:43). Most notably, as He hung on the cross in agony, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34, NKJV). In this, we behold a mercy so profound that it humbles the heart and draws us to worship. Jesus consistently thanked God the Father. He gave thanks before feeding the multitudes (Matthew 14:19; 15:36; Mark 8:6; John 6:10–11), before the raising of Lazarus (John 11:41), and before breaking bread and sharing the cup at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26–27; Luke 22:19). These are only a few examples; throughout His earthly life, Jesus lived in continual gratitude and perfect communion with the Father. Repeatedly questioned by authorities who had the power to punish Him — including the Pharisees, Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate, and the Roman soldiers who sought His arrest — Jesus spoke the truth boldly, regardless of the cost. His steadfast courage and unwavering faithfulness shine as a powerful testimony to His divine character. Given His ultimate crucifixion, it is clear that His actions were driven by a purely divine, selfless love for mankind. Even Jesus stated during His earthly life, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15: 12-14 – NKJV) Jesus’s Seven “I Am” Declarations In Exodus 3:14, God tells Moses that His name is “I AM WHO I AM.” He instructs Moses to tell the Israelites, “I AM has sent me to you.” Therefore, when Jesus uses “I Am” statements to describe Himself and His ministry, He is declaring that He is God the Son, the promised Messiah, the Christ. BIBLE VERSE “I AM” DECLARATION GODLY, SPIRITUAL OR DIVINE POWER John 6: 35, 48 I am the bread of life Satisfying eternal hunger and thirst John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46 I am the light of the world Light to guide out of spiritual darkness John 10:7 I am the door of the sheep Only way to enter the Kingdom of God John 10: 11,14 I am the good shepherd Absolute spiritual protection; Psalm 23 John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life Giver of eternal life; overcoming death John 14: 6 I am the way, the truth and the life Gatekeeper to Heaven; only path to God John 15: 1 I am the true vine Access to spiritual life by abiding in Him NOTE: Content of table synthesized from internet recap.2 In each case, these statements correlate to His claim of spiritual power; in all cases these powers are commonly recognized as belonging only to God, to our Creator, to Deity – hence they are divine. Jesus’s Miraculous Works During His earthly ministry, Jesus performed many miracles that demonstrated His divine power over the natural world. He healed many forms of illness and disability, including leprosy, blindness, deafness, and paralysis, and He raised the dead — all attested by eyewitness testimony from both followers and detractors. He also showed authority over nature by feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, walking on water, turning water into wine, and calming storms. Foundational to Christianity, Jesus’ resurrection stands as the ultimate testimony to His divine power and deity. Beyond the biblical accounts, multiple secular and non-Christian sources document His crucifixion, including the Roman-era historians Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian, and Mara Bar-Serapion, as well as the Talmud. “We have seven sources pointing to multiple, very early and eyewitness testimonies to the disciples’ claims of witnessing the risen Jesus who all note that early disciples were willing to suffer for their beliefs in Jesus: Luke — in Acts, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Ignatius, Dionysius of Corinth, Tertullian, and Origen (Habermas & Licona, 2004).”3 In addition, there are eyewitness testimonies from Jesus’ disciples Peter, Mark, Matthew, Paul, James, and Jude, along with Luke, the author of Luke and Acts in the New Testament.4 By standard historical evidentiary measures, there is overwhelming support for the credibility of Jesus Christ’s victory over death and the grave. In his Gospel, the Apostle John writes, “And there are also many
Satan
Satan/Lucifer is a fallen angel who rebelled against God. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17 NKJV). His final destination is the lake of fire, where he will be tormented day and night forever. (Revelation 20:10 NKJV). Satan is called the Father of lies (John 8:44), the Serpent of old (Revelation 12:9), Beelzebub (Luke 11:15), the wicked one (Matthew 13:19), the Accuser of Our Brethren (Revelation 12:10), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). Satan is consistently portrayed as an enemy of mankind, as evil, a liar and deceiver, who seeks to be in the position of God. (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 14:14, John 8:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Peter 5:8). Through lies and deceit, the devil fights to undermine our confidence in God and His Word (Genesis 3:1-4, Matthew 4:1-11). How can we overcome such an adversary? Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (NKJV). It is Christ who has defeated the devil for us. Jesus resisted His lies (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus defeated sin and death (Matthew 26:28, 28:6), and Jesus sits at the right hand of God (Luke 22:69). To defeat the devil, we must trust in Christ, His work, His promises, and His ways. Every day, we must remember we do not overcome the devil in our own strength, or by our own wisdom, but by Christ, His strength, and His wisdom. We do have a part to play, God has given us weapons to fight these spiritual battles and tools to grow stronger in Him, and we are instructed to “Resist him, (The Devil) steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:9 NKJV), David Guzik a great bible commentator said, “The secret of spiritual warfare is simple, steadfast resistance. As we are steadfast in the faith, we resist the devil’s lies and threats and intimidation.”1 We must use the tools, weapons, and wisdom God has given us, but ultimately our victory is not our own, but Christ working in us.
General Revelation vs Special Revelation.
General Revelation is the things God has revealed to all of humanity. The Apostle Paul said, “What may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19–20 NKJV) All of humanity can look around and see the evidence of God, it is revealed in His creation, order, and in human conviction, Paul builds on this thought in chapter 2, “for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.” (Romans 2:14–15 NKJV) John Wesely used the following example. “bearing witness—In a trial, there are the plaintiff, the defendant, and the witnesses. Conscience and sin itself are witnesses against the Heathens.”1 General Revelation alone reveals to us several important truths; through it, we can see that life on earth is temporary, that God created all things, and that humanity has a sin problem. These truths are all declared plainly in the scriptures, and they are also plain to anyone who looks around the world or at themselves, even if they have never opened a Bible. General revelation is simply that which God has revealed to all people, and if the person is reasonable and honest, it cannot be denied. Special Revelation is the things God has revealed through His servants, the prophets, Apostles, and His Son. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”(NKJV) Special Revelation is what God, in His grace, has revealed to us. When Peter was talking with Jesus, he declared, “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68 NKJV). Through general revelation, we can see that God made us and that humanity has big problems. But general revelation does not answer questions like “Who is God?” What can be done about sin? What is the end of all this? Why were we created? These are all questions the Bible tells us through special Revelation. David Guzik, in his commentary on Colossians, wrote, ‘You will only find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Jesus. He has them all.” It’s not wrong to seek after wisdom and knowledge, but we must seek it all in Jesus.’2 In the book of James, it tells us there are only two types or sources of wisdom, one source is “earthly, sensual, demonic…” (James 3:15 NKJV), the other is “from Above.” (James 3:17 NKJV) It is this wisdom from above that we must trust in, if we want to understand the why questions. Still doubting? Pick up a Bible and read it for yourself; it is unmatched in wisdom, purpose, hope, and the chief authoritative spiritual book in the entire world, and it does answer all of life’s hardest questions with wisdom that is beyond this world.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is the Son of God, and the Son of man, the great I AM. In John’s gospel, we read “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NKJV) Jesus is the Word, the preexistent one, who was “before all things” (Colossians 1:17 NKJV). He is the great I AM (John 8:58 NKJV) who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, the creator and sustainer of all things. He is God incarnate, As John says, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” He was fully man, born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23 NKJV) The Word declares Jesus is the “only begotten Son”, (John 3:16 NKJV) meaning the only one who comes from God or is of the same essence, we are all created by God, but Jesus comes from God He is of the same eternal, all powerful, infinite essence of the Father, and the Holy Spirit. He is also fully man, “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45 NKJV). Jesus, though fully God, was also fully man, without sin or blemish. (See 2 Corinthians 5:23, John 19:6, Heb 4:15, NKJV) He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV), the redeemer of mankind, and the only way of salvation. ( 1 Peter 1:18, John 14:6, NKJV) Jesus is; “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15 NKJV) Arnold Fruchtenbaum states; “Yeshua is called the very image, it means He is the exact impression of the divine nature. Since the Father is fully God, the Son is also fully God. Everything that is true of the divinity of the Father is also true of the divinity of the Son.”1 In conclusion, Jesus is fully God and fully man, without sin or blemish, and He alone is the Savior of the World.
The Inspired Word of God
The Bible claims to be the Word of God; it says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV). Though this verse is commonly used to teach the authority of scripture, its significance cannot be overstated. Spurgeon said, “God’s Word is living and powerful, and has a power to enter the heart beyond that of any other word. The words of the Bible strike and stick. They enter and abide.”1 The apostle Paul taught that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone…” (Ephesians 2:20 NKJV) The Apostles refer to the New Testament teachings and writings, while the Prophets refer to the Old Testament writings, and, of course, Jesus is the fulfillment and authority on which the entire biblical text is built and stands. The Bible was not only relevant for the time it was written, but for all generations, as it claims, “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) John Wesley said, “The Spirit of God, not only once inspired those who wrote it, but continually inspires, supernaturally assists those who read it with earnest prayer.”2 This shows us not only was God’s word relevant when it was written but for all generations, as it is emphasis is not on culture but on God and Holy living, about right and wrong, about how to overcome darkness and sin, inside each of us, and how to change the culture around us, this makes the Bible relevant for every culture and for all people who have struggles from past addiction, pain, loss, sin, who are looking not for the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of God.
What Does the Divinity of Jesus Mean?
It means Jesus is fully God. The Apostle Paul tells us, “in Him (Christ) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9 NKJV) One of His names given in the gospels is ‘Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”’ (Matthew 1:23 NKJV) Jesus Himself declared He was God when He was being examined by Jewish leaders. He was asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” (Luke 22:70 NKJV) John Wesley in his commentary makes the following comment, “They all said, Art thou then the Son of God?—Both these, the Son of God, and the Son of man, were known titles of the Messiah, the one taken from his divine, and the other from his human nature.”1 another place Jesus claims His own deity is in John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (NKJV) This I am statement is a reference to one of the names of God (See Exodus 3:14), the Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “Jesus then affirmed His superiority over the prophets and Abraham. Abraham came into being; but when he was born, Jesus was already existing. I Am is a title of Deity…the Jews’ response (v. 59) showed they understood it that way. Jesus, because of His equality with God… existed from all eternity.2 This means Jesus is not just another man; He is the eternal God, He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18 NKJV). He is worthy of worship and praise and shares all the same attributes of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity
God is One revealed in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It says on the Law, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord (YHWH, singular) our God, (Elohim, plural) the Lord (YHWH, Singular) is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV) This is not that we have three Gods, but one revealed or manifested in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Rolland McCune said, “The tri-unity of God is one of the great fundamental doctrines concerning God. In fact, without the tri-unity of God, there could be no incarnation of God the Son. And, without the incarnation, there could be no redemption accomplished by the Son, nor could there be any application of the redemption by the Spirit.1 We see the clear evidence of this claim throughout scripture, Col 2:9 says in Jesus. “dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9 NKJV), in 1 Corinthians 3:16 the Apostle Paul says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? “ (NKJV) Jesus when He is praying said “O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” (John 17:5 NKJV) clearly the Bible teaches the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and yet, it remains entirely Monotheistic, (One God). It is essential for a correct understanding of God to understand this truth, we have one God revealed in three persons, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, We need to understand we come before God as beloved children, (Romans 8:14 NKJV) covered by the blood of Christ (John 1:12-13, 1:29, 3:16. NKJV) and sealed by the Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV).
Dealing with Past Sin
When we are born again, we soon discover that one of the enemy’s most powerful tools is guilt over past sins. These may be sins committed either before or after you came to Christ, and they are often used by the enemy to keep you in a state of depression. To be clear, I am not talking about hidden sins you refuse to repent of or will not surrender to Christ. Guilt over those should lead you to repentance. What we are talking about is guilt over sins that have been confessed—sins Christ has already forgiven. The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:6–10, NKJV) To be free from the guilt of sin, it must first be covered by the blood of the Lamb. You will never find freedom from guilt by pretending your sin is not really there, or by saying it is not really that bad. Sin is sin, and it always brings death. If you are ever tempted to justify your sin, remember it was the theft of one piece of fruit that led the entire human race into sin and has cost billions of souls. There is no such thing as a small sin. Thankfully, the cross is powerful, and we have “been set free from sin” (Romans 6:18, NKJV) by the ministry of Christ. John continued, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2, NKJV) As believers, we should strive to live holy lives and battle the sins and temptations that so easily ensnare us. But it is never our battling or fighting against sin that gives us the ultimate victory—it is Christ, and Christ alone. A common struggle among believers is still identifying with Adam instead of ChristW. what I mean by that is that, in their own hearts, they still see themselves as wicked sinners, failures, and as falling incredibly short of God’s standards and even their own. This is a powerful attack of the enemy, as the redeemed think and feel as though they are still condemned. John Wesley said, “But if any one sin—Let him not lie in sin, despairing of help; we have an Advocate—We have for our advocate not a mean person, but him of whom it was said, This is my beloved Son: not a guilty person, who stands in need of pardon for himself; but Jesus Christ the righteous; not a mere petitioner, who relies purely upon liberality, but one that has merited, fully merited, whatever he asks.”1 In 1 Corinthians 6, the apostle Paul lists several sins that were present in the church’s past—sexual immorality, homosexuality, idolatry, stealing, etc. Some of these sins were even still occurring in the church at Corinth. Yet in verse 11 he says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NKJV). Notice that these sins no longer define them: “such were” (past tense), not “such are” (present tense). Jesus paid in full for our sins, and we must learn to see ourselves as redeemed, beloved, Children of God. As the Word says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
How do you Become Saved?
Scripture says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV) Someone is saved by trusting in the person and work of Christ alone for their salvation. In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, who wastes his inheritance on worldly living. When a famine hits, he joins himself to a man of that country and is sent out to feed swine and serve in his fields. Then it says, “when he came to himself, he said… I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you’… And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him…” This parable highlights humility and repentance (turning back to God), transformation (leaving the man he was joined to and his former way of life), and going to the Father, where he is met with love, acceptance, and rejoicing (grace). This is a great illustration of how to become saved. You must first change your way, by faith turn to God, Next, confess your faults and sins against God, Lastly, embrace the grace of God, who has forgiven your sins and faults, and go follow Him. Can we know for sure if we are saved? Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27–28 NKJV). God wants those who belong to Him to have peace in His complete work, so long as we abide in Him. In John 15, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5–6 NKJV) Security comes from the finished work of Christ and from abiding in Christ. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37 NKJV). God’s grace and salvation are an amazing work! John Bunyan said, “Great sins do draw out great grace; and where guilt is most terrible and fierce there the mercy of God in Christ, when showed to the soul, appears most high and mighty.”1 When we stumble or struggle with fear, we must remember that assurance is not found in ourselves, nor is it a license to sin; it is found in the work and person of Christ, Ephesians 2:8–9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (NKJV). 2 John verse 9 says, “He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (NKJV) Assurance comes from trusting in and abiding in Christ and His accomplished work.