Every organization, every movement has its foundational principles. For the U.S. it is “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The Reformation, the event we celebrate this month, has five Foundational Principles.
SOLA SCRIPTURA: “Scripture Alone.” In John 8: 32 Jesus said, “Know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus is the Word of God, the Scripture, and if we hear, if we believe that in and through the Word of God we have all that we need. In a world full of lies, the Word of God is the only truth that exists. (Sermon series on October 6th)
SOLA FIDE: “Faith Alone.” In 1 Corinthians 16: 13 Paul said, “Be watchful, stand firm in you faith, be courageous, be strong.” The word faith means to “trust completely.” Faith means I will trust my eternal life that Jesus Christ is God’s son and through my faith in Him, my sins are forgiven, I am saved from the chains of sin and death, and that I have eternal life in the Kingdom of God. (Sermon series on October 13th)
SOLA GRATIA: “Grace Alone.” In Ephesians 1: 7 we read, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” God’s grace is free to us, but that grace cost the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s unmerited, undeserved, and unearned forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. (Sermon series on October 20th)
SOLUS CHRISTUS: “Christ Alone”. In 1 Timothy 1: 1 Paul writes, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ our Hope.” It is through the death, resurrection of Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven and that we receive the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. Without Christ there is no hope, there is no eternal life with God. (Sermon series on October 27th)
SOLI DEO GLORIA: “To God be the Glory.” In Psalm 31: 21 we read, “Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love for me.” In the Jewish faith when people rise in the morning they say, “Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the universe.” It is there way of thanking God for another day of life and all the blessings that God gives us every day. (Sermon series on November 3rd)
As we remember the Reformation, let us remember, lest us celebrate, and let us live the Five Solas.
Veritas - Curt