When Martin Luther kick started the Protestant Reformation over 500 years ago, much of what he was arguing for was true Biblical Christianity, basically, that we should be turning to the Word of God alone to say what is what.
What came out of the Reformation, in terms of principles, can be summarised in five solas, one of which is sola fide, or, faith alone.
How important is sola fide? Well, Luther said that it is “the article with and by which the church stands.”
In this wonderful passage from Romans 3, Paul talks about sola fide for our salvation,
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
What else is there to say here aside from sola fide? Paul is so clear!
…by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight…
…the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law…
…justified by his grace as a gift…
…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…
…all are justified bu his grace as a giftthrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith…
…of the one who has faith in Jesus…
We would certainly have to agree with Luther when he said that the church stands on this; we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.
Good works are never going to save us or get us closer to God – for sure, the good works come when we are saved, we feel compelled to do good, to serve others, to have our love come out in service to others (Hebrews 6.10) – but bottom line we are saved by sola gratia, sola fide.
Point to ponder – Am I doing things each day to try and earn God’s favour?
Prayer – Father we know we are able to confidently come to you in prayer only because Jesus stands between us as our perfect high priest, and it is by faith in Him alone, and through your unending grace alone that we are saved. Help us to know this for sure today, help us put no energy into being righteous by our own efforts and trust wholly in your provision for our justification, our ongoing sanctification, and our ultimate glorification. Amen.
James Travis 