Hello everyone, today I dedicate this discussion to answering four of your Bible questions.
- Question: Does the Apostle Paul contradict himself regarding how Salvation is achieved in Ephesians 2:8-9 verses Philippians 2:12?
Answer: Ah, a question that has puzzled many. But fear not, for the Apostle Paul does not contradict himself. Let’s take a closer look at these verses, shall we? Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Let me explain this verse one portion at a time.
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith.”
a. God’s Grace is His giving us favor we do not deserve. We cannot earn God’s grace. Grace is God’s free gift to us.
b. Being “saved” here means that we are spared, delivered, or rescued from suffering the consequences and payment for our sins (Jesus did that in our place).
c. Faith, in this verse, refers to our belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior for the world. It’s about understanding that He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day, conquering death. Jesus paved the way for us to have eternal life in Heaven.
d. “And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This portion of the verse clearly explains how “good works” cannot save us or get us into Heaven; only faith in Jesus can. Why? The Bible clearly states that salvation is a free gift so that no one can boast or brag and say that they got into Heaven because they did a lot of “good works” during their lifetime on earth. Only Jesus can take credit for the saved persons’ Salvation and admittance into Heaven.
Let us look at Philippians 2:12 ESV, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,.”
In this verse, the “work out your own salvation” is where many misunderstand and, therefore, believe that the Apostle Paul contradicted himself. Many falsely believe that in this verse, Paul says that one must work to achieve one’s salvation, even though this is false. Before I explain, let’s look at this verse’s New Living Translation (NLT) version, which I think you would agree is much more straightforward. Philippians 2:12 NLT, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”
The NLT version clearly explains that you are to work hard to “show the results of your salvation,” meaning that you are already saved. All of us genuinely converted born-again believers and followers of Jesus Christ are gifted with salvation because of God’s grace (undeserved favor) toward us. Therefore, we cannot, nor does Paul command us to try to earn our salvation through “good works.” Instead, as a result of our salvation, and as we mature in our faith, and especially with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to “show the results of our salvation” by displaying the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) throughout our lifetime on earth. These are just some excellent ways of showing the results of our salvation.
- Question: How does God communicate with us today?
Answer: As Christians, we should always use the Bible and prayer as our guide for everything in life.
God speaks to us primarily through His Word, the Bible. It’s imperative for Christians to read and study the Bible, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and to help us apply Biblical principles to our lives.
The Holy Spirit, our divine guide, plays an intricate part when we receive communication from God. Perhaps while reading the Bible, a particular passage stands out and answers a question you may have been praying to God about. Alternatively, you may have received comfort, wisdom, and direction from certain Bible verses about a particular situation in your life. God may use a message from a Bible-based sermon or another Christian friend, Biblical Counselor, or Teacher to convey a message to you. The Holy Spirit communicates to our innermost being by impressing a thought or idea in our minds about a message that He wants to convey to us. As we pray, we should ask God to give us sensitivity to His Holy Spirit so that we are acutely aware of the different ways that He communicates with us. This should reassure you of His constant presence and guidance in your life.
Please note that when you receive a message from a person, whether verbally or from something you read outside of the Bible, always check to see if what they told you or their writings agree with what the Bible teaches. If it contradicts the Bible, you can be sure the message is not from God. God will never contradict His Word, the Holy Bible. This reassurance should strengthen your faith and guide you in discerning the truth, ensuring that you are always on the right path.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
- Question: What does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 mean?
Answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT says, “Never stop praying.”
While this verse does not mean to pray twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, it does mean that as Christians, our days should be spent with our minds on the things related to God—our mindset with the awareness of God’s genuine presence in our lives. Our hearts and minds should be in a state of surrender to God with heartfelt thanksgiving, worship, and praise to our God.
This verse does encourage us to pray regularly. Like any relationship, the more time we spend with that person, the deeper our relationship becomes. The same is true with our relationship with God.
Prayer is an excellent way to spend time in God’s presence with a grateful heart and seek His direction, guidance, and wisdom for our lives.
The Lord Jesus Himself often stepped away from the crowds to pray quietly with God the Father.
Read it for yourself in the following verses:
Matthew 14:23 NLT, “ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”
Mark 6:46 NLT, “ After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.”
Luke 6:12 NLT states, “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.”
Let us take the example of Jesus. The fact that Jesus Himself thought that it was essential to pray, and Luke 6:12 NLT also states that He prayed to God all night, tells us that we should prioritize prayer time with God in our own lives throughout the day.
I am grateful for and count it a privilege to communicate through prayer with El Elyon (Hebrew- the Most High God), and I encourage you to pray often as well.
4. Question: I’m Saved, how do I know that the Holy Spirit resides in me?
Answer: The fantastic news is that when a person believes in the Lord Jesus, has talked to God in prayer and asked Him to forgive them of their sins, invites Jesus into their life to be their Savior and Lord (that’s Salvation), the Holy Spirit enters them at that moment of Salvation.
Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV states, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
So you see here that as Born-again believers (Saved individuals), we are sealed with the Holy Spirit NOT later, but at the moment when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in Jesus for our salvation.
Romans 8:9 NLT states, “ But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”
As previously stated, the Holy Spirit enters the person at the moment of Salvation. For some, it may take time to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s genuine presence in their life, but as they grow in their knowledge of the Bible and of who God is, and also grow closer to God into a deeper relationship, then the things related to God get clearer for them to see and understand, and that is the work of the Holy Spirit.
I pray that these answers to your questions gave you clarity.
As always, remember to Seek Jesus 4 Life!!!
