For many people, October is a month of excitement. A month to visit pumpkin patches, drink apple cider, watch football, and prepare for trick-or-treat. While I enjoy all of those activities, for me, October rings of an even bigger excitement- the anniversary of the Reformation!
On October 31,1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. Little did he know this action would spur an entire movement back to the truth of the Gospel! In the years that followed this famous church door nailing, God raised up many reformers. Men such as John Calvin, John Knox, Jan Hus, and John Wycliffe, among others. These men faithfully taught God’s word, bringing people back to the truth of salvation: That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. These 5 “onlies” became known as the 5 Solas of the Reformation (Sola is Latin for “only”). Join me as we briefly look at each!
Sola Gratia (Grace alone). Titus 3:5 proclaims that we are saved not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God’s mercy. Similarly, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “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.” God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to save us based on nothing but His grace. We cannot earn salvation with good works or good intentions! We are reconciled to Him only because of the grace He has so richly lavished on us.
Sola Fide (Faith alone). The grace of God allows us to have faith in Him and the One whom He has sent. It is by faith that we receive the gift of salvation. Such faith means we believe God’s plan for salvation and place our whole weight upon His provision. Just as Abraham was justified by faith- because he believed God’s promises- we are declared righteous by faith in the free gift of God (Romans 4:16-25). As Romans 3:25 makes clear, this gift is to be received by faith.
Solus Christus (Christ alone). While faith is the means by which we receive salvation, we must be very clear about one thing: it is not faith itself that saves, but faith in Christ that saves! He is the object of our faith and the only one in whom salvation is found. As Acts 4:12 states, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Apostle John also made this crystal clear when he wrote, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life,” (1 John 5:12). The only object of saving faith is God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). This beautiful sola reminds us of the final authority of Scripture. Sola Scriptura holds that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and that it contains all we need for salvation and godly living. The Reformers taught that the canon of Scripture is closed and that God’s word is completely sufficient for His people (2 Peter 1:16-21). In sum, there is no higher authority by which we can know about God, man, and salvation than by His revealed Word!
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone). Last but not least, my favorite sola! As all things exist for the glory of God, so does salvation. In this magnificent act, God demonstrates the fullness of His love, mercy, grace, and justice. He is glorified by setting His love upon His people and bringing them to Him! Ephesians 1:5-6 proclaims, “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Praise God that we are His and His alone- to the glory of God alone!
I pray these solas are a refreshment to your soul as you reflect on the wonder of God’s redeeming love! Happy Reformation Day!
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