![]() It means that Jesus has done it all so that now no merit on the part of man, no merit of the saints, no works of ours performed either here or in purgatory can add to his completed saving work."Īll of this is for the glory of God alone: soli Deo gloria. James Boice explained it like this: "The Reformers taught that salvation is by and through the work of Jesus Christ only, which is what the slogan solus Christus refers to. Martin Luther said that the cross of Christ is nothing else than "forsaking everything and clinging with the heart's faith to Christ alone."Ĭhrist alone-that is another great Reformation doctrine that finds its meaning in the cross. Therefore, the only thing we need to do or even can do is to hold on to Jesus and His cross, which is what the Reformers meant when they said "faith alone." It is because salvation was accomplished by Christ alone that it is accepted by faith alone, without the addition of any works of our own. It is all by grace! There is nothing we can possibly add to what God has already done to save us in Jesus Christ. #IN CHRIST ALONE PLUS#This brings us to sola fide, "faith alone." If there were a way for us to contribute to our own salvation if it depended on our own merits if there were something we could do to earn it or deserve it-then we would not be justified by faith alone we would be justified by faith plus works. The reason that salvation is by grace alone is because it is offered in Christ alone. Jesus Christ is God's gracious gift to sinners. If we ask, How has God shown us this grace?-the answer is that He has given us His grace in Jesus Christ, especially in His death on the cross for sinners. Nevertheless, He has saved us by his grace. God does not owe us anything except wrath. #IN CHRIST ALONE FREE#When the Reformers said "by grace alone," they meant that salvation was God's free gift for undeserving sinners. What about sola gratia, "grace alone?" Grace is unmerited favor, undeserved blessing. When we accept Scripture alone, the Scripture itself points us to Christ alone. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the message of the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" ( Luke 24:27 NIV). After His resurrection Jesus, walked to Emmaus with two of His disciples. Once you accept the Bible's authority, and start to study it, one of the first things you notice is that it is all about Jesus Christ, that is true not only of the Gospels, which give biographical information about Jesus and of the epistles, which provide theological interpretation of Jesus but also of the entire Old Testament, which holds the messianic expectation of Jesus. Our only ultimate authority is the Holy Spirit speaking in Scripture. No person, no institution stands in judgment over God's Word. Start with Sola Scriptura, "Scripture alone." When the Reformers said "Scripture alone" they meant that the Bible is the only foundation for faith and practice. And in fact, Paul did preach about all these things on many occasions. ![]() Paul could have spent an entire lifetime speaking about the deity, the perfection, the wisdom, and the power of Jesus Christ. He might have said that Jesus was a miracle-worker, that He healed the sick and raised the dead. He might have said that Jesus was a moral teacher, that He spoke the true words of God. He might have said that Jesus was a perfect example, that He lived a life of sinless obedience. He might have said that Jesus was God as well as man, that He was God the Son incarnate. There were many things that Paul might have said about Jesus Christ. ![]() The first time he went to Corinth, the only thing he talked about was Jesus Christ. Paul said this in reference to his first visit to Corinth, when he planted the Corinthian church. So he said to the Corinthians, "I resolved to know nothing you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" ( 1 Corinthians 2:2). The only thing that mattered to him was the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was not interested in Christianity as a social movement or a political cause. ![]() He cared little for his own comfort and safety. Paul was not concerned about his own reputation. Few men have ever exhibited the singleness of purpose that Paul displayed in preaching the gospel. If ever there was a man with a one-track mind, it was the apostle Paul. ![]()
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