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By: Pastor Berg

When we celebrate the Lutheran Reformation we often speak of Scripture alone, Grace alone, and Faith alone—the Sola’s of the Lutheran Church—as the truths that Martin Luther rediscovered for the life of the Church.  However, there are two “solas” that we don’t want to forget: Solo Christo (Christ alone) and Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)!

Sola Scriptura—by Scripture alone

Up to the time of the Reformation, the church had developed a vast library of study and knowledge on the Bible. Some of it was true, but some was not. Because respected theologians had written it, it was all contained in what the church declared to be “tradition.” However, as years went by, these traditions were held in higher and higher honor, until they were actually considered more authoritative than the Bible itself.

Luther, however, was drawn back to the Scriptures as the sole authority. When he went to defend his writings at the Diet (“Assembly”) of Worms (held in Worms, Germany), he didn’t take the proceedings lightly. When asked the question of whether or not he would recant, Luther asked to be given the night to sleep on it, pray about it, and think it over.

The next day, Luther appeared before the assembly and said, “Unless I am convinced from the sacred Scriptures that I am in error, I cannot and I will not recant.  Here I stand.  I cannot do otherwise. God help me.”

Scripture alone should determine our teachings. It doesn’t matter what a certain pastor says or what a church body says. What matters is what God says. Whether it is an obvious doctrine like justification, or the more difficult questions of our age like the eternal destiny of infants who have died, or hot button issues like male headship, we need to let the Bible be the final authority for faith. Everything else is just opinion. The Reformation brought back that truth for us.

Sola Gratia—by grace alone

We can sing almost all the verses of Amazing Grace by heart. It’s America’s favorite hymn. But ask any American what grace is, and he will probably give you a blank look.  Simply put, grace is God’s love for the undeserving sinner.

From a human point of view, free grace is offensive, absolutely unfair! That God would show love and mercy towards those who are his enemies and who constantly reject him and strive against him is offensive. Grace is only free to us, however. It cost God. It was paid for at a terrible cost—the holy, precious blood and innocent suffering and death of Jesus. This was a price more than anyone else could pay. It was a price only God could pay.

Most of the evangelical movement today would say that grace  is God making salvation possible in Jesus Christ, leaving the fulfillment of salvation to one’s decision or merit. Lutherans, standing solely on Scripture, say unashamedly that grace means that God didn’t just make salvation possible, but that he accomplished salvation for everyone! All sinners are justified, or declared spiritually right with God, by the blood of Jesus. That is the richness, the majesty of grace.

Sola Fide—by faith alone

God gives his grace freely to all people, and through faith his people claim that justification in their own lives. Faith is the hand, given to us by God, by which we reach out to God to receive his salvation. There is nothing divinely acceptable in our lives. Faith alone makes the merit of Christ our own. Faith alone allows us to stand accepted by God. There are no works involved on our part to gain God’s approval.

Consider the omelet. Take three eggs and scramble them. Now what would happen if I added one rotten egg to the two fresh eggs? The whole omelet becomes inedible. That’s the way it is with sin in our lives. It’s spoiled the whole. If works were part of the equation, none of us would be acceptable in God’s sight, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Faith alone trusts solely in Jesus.

Solo Christo—by Christ alone

Am I saved by works? Absolutely! By the work of Christ alone!   Unfortunately the church had begun to teach that Jesus made it possible for a person to be saved, but that it was up to that individual to earn that salvation. They could do it by doing good works or by suffering in purgatory. Or they could borrow the good works from the saints who had done more good works than they needed. Salvation became a mixture of the work of Christ, the individual, and the saints.

By the grace of God, the reformers restored Christ alone as our Savior. Only he took our place under the law. Only he was perfect enough to fulfill the law in our place. Only by the work of Christ are we saved. With faith in Christ alone for our salvation we can rest our souls, knowing that our struggle with God has ended.

Soli Deo Gloria—glory to God alone

For our salvation—glory to God alone! He has washed us! He has bought us! Glory to God alone!

J.S. Bach signed each of his musical scores with the words “To God alone be the glory!” What a perfect way for us to finish everything we do. Each of us can say, “In my work— let the glory be to God alone! In my family life—let the glory be to God alone! In my children’s education—let the glory be to God alone! In our church—let the glory be to God alone! In our nation—let the glory be to God alone!”

Paul exclaims,    “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how untraceable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his adviser?” “Or who has first given to God that he will be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”   (Romans 11:33-36).

These five solas were the foundation of the Reformation. They helped the Reformers, and they will help us keep our faith as a doxology to God instead of to us. After all, he deserves it.