FIVE SOLAS
SOLA SCRIPTURA - “Scripture Alone”
This truth declares that the Bible alone is our only authority for our faith (what we believe) and our conduct (how we live). The Bible alone is God’s Word written. It is without error, it is authoritative, it is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness. It must be preached, it must be taught and it must be lived out.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be completely, equipped for every good work.
The fact is this. The only reason why we know God, know Christ, and know the Holy Spirit is because of Scripture. It must be read from and taught from with only the highest of respect and care.
SOLA GRATIA - “Grace Alone”
It answers the question of who does what in salvation. Many think that salvation is a “grace and…” project. If this is true, then “grace is no longer grace.”
(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
The Bible is clear, salvation is by grace and grace alone because “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). (2 Timothy 1:9) He who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
SOLA FIDE - “Faith Alone”
Faith alone is the instrument of our salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is by faith, that is, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ through His work on the cross for your salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Martin Luther realized this because every effort he made by his works to achieve the righteousness that he thought would gain him his salvation, only drew him farther away from that. As he studied the book of Romans he finally realized that all his works would never gain him anything in the way of salvation. It would only be gained through Gods grace as a gift to us by the faith that God himself instills in us. (Romans 1:17) "The righteous will live by faith."
SOLA CHRISTUS - “Through Christ Alone”
It is in Christ alone that we have salvation. In His perfect life and substitutionary death, alone we have salvation. Through Him and Him alone, we have the forgiveness of our sins and are declared righteous before God.
(Titus 3:5-7) He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
SOLI DEO GLORIA - “To God alone be the Glory”
It is the great goal of all of God’s purposes in Jesus Christ. All that God does, He does for His own glory. He created all things for His glory. He sustains and rules over the world and our lives for His glory. Our salvation is all of grace through Christ for all His glory. One important thing to notice, the word alone. God and God alone is worthy of all glory and praise!
(Romans 11:36) For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!
This truth declares that the Bible alone is our only authority for our faith (what we believe) and our conduct (how we live). The Bible alone is God’s Word written. It is without error, it is authoritative, it is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness. It must be preached, it must be taught and it must be lived out.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be completely, equipped for every good work.
The fact is this. The only reason why we know God, know Christ, and know the Holy Spirit is because of Scripture. It must be read from and taught from with only the highest of respect and care.
SOLA GRATIA - “Grace Alone”
It answers the question of who does what in salvation. Many think that salvation is a “grace and…” project. If this is true, then “grace is no longer grace.”
(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
The Bible is clear, salvation is by grace and grace alone because “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). (2 Timothy 1:9) He who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
SOLA FIDE - “Faith Alone”
Faith alone is the instrument of our salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is by faith, that is, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ through His work on the cross for your salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Martin Luther realized this because every effort he made by his works to achieve the righteousness that he thought would gain him his salvation, only drew him farther away from that. As he studied the book of Romans he finally realized that all his works would never gain him anything in the way of salvation. It would only be gained through Gods grace as a gift to us by the faith that God himself instills in us. (Romans 1:17) "The righteous will live by faith."
SOLA CHRISTUS - “Through Christ Alone”
It is in Christ alone that we have salvation. In His perfect life and substitutionary death, alone we have salvation. Through Him and Him alone, we have the forgiveness of our sins and are declared righteous before God.
(Titus 3:5-7) He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
SOLI DEO GLORIA - “To God alone be the Glory”
It is the great goal of all of God’s purposes in Jesus Christ. All that God does, He does for His own glory. He created all things for His glory. He sustains and rules over the world and our lives for His glory. Our salvation is all of grace through Christ for all His glory. One important thing to notice, the word alone. God and God alone is worthy of all glory and praise!
(Romans 11:36) For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!
The purpose of these "Five Solas" is really to make us think long and hard as Christians. Who is our God and is He the powerful and mighty God we read about in His infallible word, The Bible? The answer is yes to these questions.
We read in Ephesians 2:8-9 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Within these two verses we see the truth of these Solas unfold. It all becomes clear that God is the mighty and powerful one that is in complete control of our destiny of Salvation.
To attempt to take credit for our salvation in any way, by removing credit from God and applying it to us, is not only an injustice to God but it in some ways strips Him of the Glory deserving only to Him and to His Son Jesus Christ who was perfect and sinless, given by God as a sacrifice for the payment of our sins.
We read in Ephesians 2:8-9 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Within these two verses we see the truth of these Solas unfold. It all becomes clear that God is the mighty and powerful one that is in complete control of our destiny of Salvation.
To attempt to take credit for our salvation in any way, by removing credit from God and applying it to us, is not only an injustice to God but it in some ways strips Him of the Glory deserving only to Him and to His Son Jesus Christ who was perfect and sinless, given by God as a sacrifice for the payment of our sins.
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