The Five Solas of the Reformation: Sola Fide

The son who knew everything

I am going to share to you a story about an American farmer who is so proud of his son as he makes his way to the city to study mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The son had big dreams in using the knowledge and skills he had learnt to help his father run the farm proficiently and cost effective with the latest technologies available for farming.

He was the only son of the old farmer and believed he would later take over the family business in farming and so he needed to right tools that would make more money for the business.

So, 4 years past and the son graduates with honours but feels that he needs more education and enrolls for his Masters in Mechanical Engineering and completes it 1 year later. Finally, he makes his way home back to the farm to help his dad.

Here the son looks at the farm and plans to make a revamp and changes to how the farm is run by being technologically advance, he goes and tells his dad his plans for the farm.

His dad is happy that he wants to run the show and allows him to make the changes but asked him for one small favour, and his son ask him what it was.

The father asked him to leave his old tractor alone and to look after it and maintain it, the son agrees and begins the process in changing the farm to be technologically superior, everything is automated, drones are used to help with the farm and everything is running smoothly.

Years pass and the old American farmer dies, leaving his son to run the farm. Everything is working well but the son neglects to look after his father’s old tractor.

Soon enough, a malfunction happens with the son’s advance machinery. Everything becomes chaotic and malfunctions, nothing is working and everything is dead at its tracks. The son frantically trying to fix things in order that his shipment of produce is complete he focuses his time in trying to get the machines working.

Eventually, the son’s wife comes and asks him to concede in fixing the machinery, as they would have to wait for maintenance crew to come in next week. The son is so stressed seeing that there is no way to complete the order sits on the ground with his hands to his head in defeat.

The wife then taps his shoulder and tells him that they still have the old tractor from his father that he hasn’t maintained for some time. Realising that, he gets up on his feet and makes his way to the old tractor.

Going into the barn, he sees the dilapidated tractor covered in cob webs and weeds, he feels guilty for not keeping his promise to his father, and begins the process of cleaning and maintaining the old machine hoping that it would save the day.

With a twist of a wrench here, and a splatter of oil there, this was his field of studies and he knew the ins and outs of this old machine. Eventually, he got the engine running and with excitement he made his way to the tractor seat.

As he sat down on the drivers seat, he noticed a folded brown paper caught in the seams of the seat, he removed it and started reading the contents:

“This is ‘Old and Faithful’ this is a tractor that has helped me in this farm and what helped you get to where you are today, it would never disappoint you if you maintain it. This is my gift to you”

Summary of the story

What do you think about this story? What does it say about faith?

You see, the father knew that even with all the gimmicks and advance technology the son used for the farm, nothing can beat the reliance of an old familiar carbureted engine.

The father had faith in this old engine because it was this engine that got his son to where he is, and it is the faith in this old engine that would help his son when things fall apart.

The father’s faith alone saved his son from the disaster that was to befall upon him.

Sola Fide - Faith alone

We come now to the third sola, does everyone remember what sola means? It is Latin for ‘alone’ and ‘fide’ means faith.

Previously we looked at:

Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone - the Word of God is the sole authority on faith and salvation.

Sola Christus: Christ alone - only in Jesus through His Word can we find faith in Him and the way to salvation.

Now we are going to learn about faith, and as I usually ask, ‘what is faith?’

Those who are Bible scholars will automatically go to Hebrews 11:1 and say there is the definition and the chapter of faith.

But if that was the case, why did the Reformers and the Protestant go so far as to make this fundamental belief if Hebrews 11 had all the information on faith?

Why faith?

In the 11th and 15th century the Roman Catholic church developed a system of merit and sacraments, teaching that justification involved both faith and good works.

A well known Catholic theologian and friar, Thomas Aquinas along with other theologians came up with idea between initial justification (by grace) and final justification (requiring works). His teachings have encouraged Catholic followers that salvation is through faith and works.

Then comes Martin Luther, who studied the book of Romans and stumbled on the verse in Romans 1:17

Romans 1:17 NKJV

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Luther was convicted of this simple message and determine to reform the church in accepting Sola Fide, that it is faith alone that justifies a person and not of works.

It is faith alone that leads to salvation and it is through the authority of the Scriptures that reveal faith and a justified life in Jesus.

Faith Alone!

It is faith alone that we believe that the righteousness of Christ is imputed (credited) to the believer.

Romans 3:28 NKJV

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8-9 that it is through faith that we receive grace which is a gift of God, this in turn results in genuine faith that helps sanctify our standing with God.

I can go on and on about faith alone, but how can I explain James 2:20

James 2:20 NKJV

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Well, let’s get James to explain what he means by this verse:

James 2:14–18 NLT

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

What is James trying to explain to the Christian?

It’s simple, does your faith produce good deeds, you see good deeds or works is a by-product of faith in Jesus.

It’s not a ‘I have to do it because of my religion’ it is ‘I want to do it because of my faith in Jesus’.

This statement should even question our reasons for keeping the Sabbath and His commandments. In what way does keeping the Sabbath is a by-product of faith in Jesus?

What about the various traditions and customs we as members adhere to or keep? Pause for a moment and contemplate those things that you believe.

Are they:

Sola Scriptura?

Sola Christus?

Sola Fide?

Paul tells the Colossians:

Colossians 3:22–24 NLT

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

As this is a message to slaves, how much the more for us a free people who are employed?

Are these traditions and customs based on faith? Are they based on His Word and in Him?

Why carry such a burden? Why not go back to the good ‘Old and Faithful’ way that Scripture has revealed to many Christians throughout time.

Why not live by the basic faith in Jesus?

You see, we humans like to over complicate things, whatever that might be, because we want to feel accomplished that doing what we’re doing meant something. That we are important.

But, that in itself is working for salvation, that is like we’re trying to earn salvation rather than accepting salvation through faith in Jesus.

Do you want the simple basic faith that is revealed in the Word of God? Why not make a commitment to the Lord for that basic faith in Jesus.

Would you live in Sola Fide?