…Before your head hits the pillow…

Five Solas

I have posted this in the past but some interesting recent theological discussions have stirred me to post it again tonight.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t contemplate long and hard before deciding to post this tonight. I don’t particularly like confrontation. That being said, I won’t run from it either. For those of you who have read my nightly posts for quite some time it should be evident that I hold to a reformed theology. I believe that we are saved by grace alone and that NOTHING we can do will contribute to our salvation, it is a gift from our Lord.

The Five Solas were at the heart of the 16th century reformation. These five solas are the bedrock of my personal faith. They precisely describe what I believe about salvation, the Holy Scriptures, and our God.

Solas is the Latin phrase for solo. When you sing a solo, you sing alone. When you fly solo, you fly alone. These five solas describe five solo truths of reformed Christianity.

The first is Sola Scriptura or Scripture alone. The Bible should be our sole authority on which we interpret everything else in our lives. How we behave with others, our political leanings, and the raising of our children all needs to be pressed against the scriptures to obtain truth. All 66 books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God through the work of the Holy Spirit given to those persons selected by God Himself.

2 Peter 3:16-17 tells us – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The second is Sola Fide or faith alone. We are saved by faith alone through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our own good works but good works are demanded of those who are saved.

The thirds is Sola gratia or grace alone. We are saved ONLY by God’s grace. No matter how “good” a person is if they do not understand that the faith instilled in them is from God and the grace rendered to them is from God they will not be saved.

Ephesians 2:8 is a great verse to demonstrate saving faith by God’s grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is a gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one my boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Yes we are created for good works, but we are NOT saved by them.

Solus Christus or Christ alone. We can ONLY be saved by believing in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. Nothing else can save us. There is no other. Paul told the jailer this in Acts 16:31 when he asked how he could be saved, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

And the last is Soli Deo Gloria or to the glory of God alone. We are here on earth to glorify God, not to heap praise and glory on ourselves, the newest American Idol, or the latest and greatest tele-evangelist. Our praise is to be reserved for God only. Our main mission in life should be to bring glory to God. We bring Him great glory by serving Him and serving our fellow mankind.

I Corinthians 10:31 states, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it to the Glory of God.” The Westminster Catechism says that the chief purpose of our lives is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

I am thankful for these five solas. I am thankful that my salvation does not rest on me being good enough for if it did, I would certainly be doomed. I am thankful that God has given us faith and the free gift of grace. I am thankful that He is a loving God who gives us the path to salvation in the Scriptures and I rejoice in the opportunity to glorify God and God alone. I hope you are thankful as well!