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The context:

Can we be sure of our salvation? One day a young woman asked for prayer. She told me that when she accepted Christ as her Savior she had felt so wonderful, so full of joy. Now she didn’t feel that way and wanted to know why she had “lost her salvation.” We know that we are not saved by feeling, but by taking God at His Word.

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If you want a meaning in context, in might help to produce more context (a link would be ideal). – T.E.D. Aug 23 '12 at 16:23
The meaning of "take [someone] at their word" is General Reference. – FumbleFingers Aug 23 '12 at 17:31
@FumbleFingers See comment in answer below about combining phrases. The capitalization indicates there is more going on here, specifically an allusion. – kmarsh Aug 23 '12 at 18:12
@kmarsh: The context is overtly Christian. Even those who know little of that religion know Word of God=Bible. And who could fail to register the significance of OP's capitalisation? Anyone who didn't understand would have been stymied much earlier, since they also wouldn't have a clue what "asked for prayer" or "accepted Christ as her Savior" meant. – FumbleFingers Aug 23 '12 at 19:17
The OP said the quote was from an email, so the capitalization was copied from there. Reading the FAQ I see discussing Christian usages is not prohibited, but then again neither is arbitrary downvotes. – kmarsh Aug 27 '12 at 1:20
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closed as general reference by FumbleFingers, Matt Эллен, MετάEd, kiamlaluno, tchrist Sep 4 '12 at 1:48

This question is too basic; it can be definitively and permanently answered by a single link to a standard internet reference source designed specifically to find that type of information. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

1 Answer

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The statement first implies acceptance of the Bible as literally correct ("We know") Holy Writ (by capitalizing "Word", corresponding to the English usage in the Gospel of John), then states that promises and conditions made in the biblical canon concerning salvation of the soul (from hell, consequences of sin, etc.) supersede personal convictions of status based on emotional feelings.

The statement attempts to separate emotional certainty ("I feel saved") from intellectual conviction ("I meet the biblical criteria for salvation"). Many Christian philosophers debate whether such separation is necessary, beneficial, or even possible.

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I'd just note, in case it wasn't totally clear from the details, that taking someone at their word generally means to believe what they say. – Rachel Aug 23 '12 at 16:38
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You're right, the sentence end somewhat cleverly combines combines two phrases, "His Word" (meaning biblical Canon) and "taking someone at their word". – kmarsh Aug 23 '12 at 16:41

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