Sola Gratia

Historical Relevance

In 1517 Martin Luther had run into some issues with Roman Catholic doctrine that caused him to post up discussion points at his church. It was then that someone took these points and printed them out. No one would’ve been able to predict what that would cause.

What happened next were years of debate and banishing, burning at the stake and so on.

Some people say that the Roman Catholic church believes that one is not saved by grace, but by works, and that’s not correct. But what is important to note is that they teach that we are saved by grace and works. Like with the rest of the Solas, something important to note is that distinction, Sola which means “alone”. Where the Roman Catholic church teaches you are saved by grace and works, We protestants believe scripture teaches that it is grace alone.

Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. Since salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory and that we must glorify him always.

This differs to the Roman Catholic church in that it is taught that Justification is by grace, faith and works. Not just christ’s works but our own as well. Roman Catholicism relies on a mixture of Scripture and tradition. Though tradition is good and helps apply what we learn in scripture, they teach that it equates scripture, which is then contrary to scripture since scripture teaches that it is the only authoritative and necessary source of revelation. If God is not sovereign over salvation, then he is not sovereign, If He is not sovereign then he shares his glory, which is also contrary to scripture.

The reformers set out to correct this error in teaching through debates and councils, yet the Roman Catholic church, as mentioned last week, had declared it anathema, excommunication, to believe in the basic teachings of the the reformers.

Luther had set a fire in the heart of the church for the the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s word for God’s glory.

“he knew the church was teaching many things not found in God’s Word, such as penance, veneration of the saints, purgatory, and the supremacy of the pope.”

Biblical Support

Ephesians 2:4–10 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Why is it important to day?

Mercy is Not getting what we deserve and grace is getting what we don’t deserve.

We deserve wrath:

Ephesians 2:3 NLT

All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Romans 3:9–19 ESV

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

So, What don’t we deserve?

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This ends up being important because it fixes our eyes on christ.

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“We should die relying on grace alone.” - Martin Luther