Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31
On October 31, 1517 a German monk named Martin Luther began a reformation by nailing his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church. Out of deep personal conviction following his study of Romans, he publicized his grievances with the Catholic Church. Luther decried both indulgences and purgatory as unbiblical. Thus began the Protestant Reformation, calling Christianity back to its Scriptural roots. Luther gave us three of the five crucial pillars or “solas” that we all need to pay close attention to and never forget.
*Sola Scriptura (By Scripture alone). The Bible alone is the final and all-sufficient authority for the church on matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).
*Sola Fide (By Faith alone). Luther was transformed when he discovered the truth that “For by grace you have been saved through FAITH and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
*Sola Gratia (By Grace alone). Luther was thoroughly humbled by Paul’s teachings in Romans 3:24, “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
*Sola Christus (Through Christ alone). As Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through ME” (John 14:6). Through Christ we have access to God’s throne not needing any other human or angelic intermediary.
*Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone). We cannot take one bit of credit for our salvation or Christian life (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). All glory and praise goes to our Lord! Hallelujah!
Many today celebrate Reformation Day on October 31 rather than Halloween. You can have your tricks and even your treats on Halloween, but I will take the real “treats” of the “Five Solas” and God’s holy, infallible, inerrant and unchangeable Word any day! How about you?
Bob Kulp