Saved by What?

For the last four weeks, we have jumped into the theological pool of Soteriology.

Soteriology - the study of the doctrine of Salvation

We hit the following:

Wrath

Rejection

Being Not Good

Separation

While each of these are substantial and significant to consider, we must ask the question Saved by What?

This question has been debated by theologians, agnostics, atheists, and cultists since the foundation of time.

But 505 years, 11 months, and 1 day ago…an effort for theological debate by one angry Catholic priest sparked an altering of worship forever.

You see Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic priest in Wittenberg Germany, was cut to the core over the selling of a particular indulgence.

Luther was a 33 year old professor at Wittenberg University at the time.

Luther had no intention of doing anything other than causing a debate that might catch the attention of the Pope and cause change.

Luther wanted Johann Tetzel to stop selling indulgences and he wanted the RCC to clarify its position on Salvation.

Tetzel had a saying, whereby he sold his indulgences: “as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”

With Tetzel, there was no mention of repentance, faith, grace, or anything other than a purchasing of forgiveness.

Luther nailed a paper with 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, a practice similar to posting something to a news/bulletin board.

Luther had no desire to leave the Catholic church, he wanted change.

In that matter, it was the providence of God that brought this small spark in to the raging Reformation.

Today, we study a singular idea that came forth out of that singular act.

Sola Fide

Let’s Read Our Focal Passage for this morning.

Galatians 2:16 ESV

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Not by Works...

We really need to understand a cultural context in this passage.

How so?

Judaizers— insisted Gentile Christians be circumcised, obey food laws, observe calendar cycles in accordance with the law.

We see evidence of this in Paul’s confronting of Peter:

Galatians 2:14 (ESV)

14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Paul is dealing with Peter’s actions: his legalism caused others to stumble.

Paul calls it “hypocrisy”

Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law...

Yes, you see...

If we work for it, we deserve it.

Paul says as much over in the book of Romans.

Romans 4:4 (ESV)

4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

Paul is righteously indignant with Peter and really the church at Galatia.

He desires not to condemn them as not his brothers and sisters, but as those who know Truth yet live differently.

In essence, Paul is dealing with an anger that is abundantly frustrated with their looking like the Pharisees.

So not by works

But Faith...

Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, ...

Not by works, but faith.

It’s not baptism, it’s not circumcision, it’s not giving to the needy, it’s not reading the Word/Praying, it’s not fasting, it’s not sharing the Gospel, it’s not church attendance.

While many of those are good things and an outflow of our relationship with the Lord…They do not Justify.

Justification = declaring righteous

It is literally faith in His, meaning Jesus’ work.

Look to how Paul explains it to the Church at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Faith in Christ...

Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Galatians 1:9 ESV

9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Walking Away, But In...

If He has gifted you with faith, Rejoice!

If you have faith, Share It!

If you have never received Him by Faith, Believe Him!