Today is Reformation Day, when many Christians celebrate the beginning of the Reformation. It all started with Martin Luther and his 95 Theses, which he was hoping would simply end the practice of the Pope selling indulgences to raise money. They led to much more than that, though. From that start came the “five Solas” which contradict the teaching of the Catholic Church:
“Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone)
“Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone)
“Sola Fide” (Faith Alone)
“Solus Christus” (Christ Alone)
“Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory)
If you want to read a bit more, you can go here (monergism.com) as a starting point, and follow some of their links for even more information.
Horatius Bonar, a Scottish pastor and hymn writer in the 19th century, wrote this great song many years ago, published in 1861, which focuses on the work of Christ alone in the second verse, God’s grace alone in the third, faith alone in the works of Christ on the cross in verse four, and gives glory to God alone in the fifth. It dispels any thought that we can do anything at all to affect our salvation.
Not what my hands have done
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne
Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears
Can bear my awful load.Thy work alone, O Christ,
Can ease this weight of sin
Thy blood alone O Lamb of God,
Can give me peace within.
Thy love to me O God,
Not mine, O Lord, to Thee
Can rid me of this dark unrest,
And set my spirit free!Thy grace alone, O God,
To me can pardon speak;
Thy power alone O Son of God,
Can this sore bondage break.
No other work, save Thine,
No other blood will do,
No strength save that which is divine,
Can bear me safely through.I bless the Christ of God;
I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart,
I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt,
I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear,
Each lingering shade of gloom.I praise the God of grace,
I trust His truth and might
He calls me His, I call Him mine,
My God, my joy, my light
‘Tis He Who saveth me,
And freely pardon gives
I love because He loveth me,
I live because He lives!
