As we commemorate Reformation Month, last week’s editorial highlighted the first two of the Five Solas of the Reformation: Scripture Alone and Christ Alone.
We will read about the next three – Faith Alone, Grace Alone, To the Glory of God Alone — in this article (1). May they enhance our view of our salvation and lead us to deeper worship of our Saviour.
Pastor Luwin Wong
Sola Fide
Theology must be faith driven. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrew 11:6). Like the empty hand of a beggar, faith reaches out to receive Christ. By faith, we believe that He who has promised is able to perform that which He promises (Romans 4:21). God will fulfill His purposes, but if we do not believe, then we will not be established (Isaiah 7:9; 45:17). Faith has no merit before God. We are justified by faith without the works of the law (Romans 3:28). We are not saved by good works but are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:8–10). Knowledge of Christ through Scripture, assent to these truths in our minds, and Spirit–wrought trust from our hearts characterise saving faith. We live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).
Sola Gratia
Theology must be grace-saturated. If we are saved by faith, then we are saved not by works but by grace alone (Romans 11:6). Grace is God’s generous disposition by which He lavishes us with good things that we do not deserve. Everything we receive from God is by grace, from our daily bread to the final resurrection of our bodies (Psalm 145:8). The grace of God is vested in Christ and He alone gives saving grace to those whom the Father pities in His mercy (Psalm 103:13). This is why the Apostle Paul’s letters begin, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2). The Holy Spirit teaches us through Scripture that salvation is by grace alone because salvation is by faith in Christ alone. Grace is not a sentimental idea leading us to ignore our sins, not caring how we live. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11–14).
Soli Deo Gloria
Theology must be God-dominated. Each of the three persons of the Trinity saves us in harmonious unity in a way that leads to worship all three divine persons. We have fellowship with the Son in grace, with the Father in love, and with the Holy Spirit in strength and comfort (2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 9:31). Because we have nothing that we have not received (1 Corinthians 4:7), we should do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians3:17). We live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). If we should live to God’s glory, then should we not listen to the Spirit speaking in His Word, receiving God’s grace through faith alone in Christ, all to God’s glory alone?
Ultimately, the five solas are not merely a summary of Reformed theology. They guard and clarify the gospel, mounting a friendly offensive attack on an unbelieving world, transforming Christ’s enemies into His friends. The word alone is important in the solas. “Alone” secures the God-centred character of the gospel and of the Christian life. The five solas do not say all that needs to be said about true theology, faith and life, but they are a good start and a clear guide to keep us on the right track.
(1) Ryan McGraw, (Oct 27, 2021). What are the Five Solas? Ligonier Ministries.Taken from: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-are-the-five-solas
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