I know you recall the miraculous conversion of Saul of Tarsus as he met Jesus that day on his way to Damascus to harass and imprison Christians (Acts 9). The diligence and aggression of Saul as he lived according to his Jewish faith was frightening, but admirable at the same time. He truly believed it, but he was so wrong. However, when he was given the light to comprehend the grace of God through Jesus, everything changed for him. The fervor he once used to persecute Christians, he now used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to all within earshot.
Martin Luther bears similarities to the apostle Paul. As we mentioned last week, Luther's discovery of the genuine meaning of Romans 1:17 was like throwing gasoline on a fire. The intensity he displayed in attempting to achieve his own righteousness did not abate, but was instead redirected. As Luther applied the basic Biblical principle of faith alone to all Scripture he read, everything became more and more clear.
He began to see what he was once blind to. As Luther's theology began to crystallize within him, like Paul, it also began to emanate from him. And before the conclusion of the Reformation, not only in Germany with Luther, but throughout that entire part of the globe, the gospel rang out as clear as a bell chime, from village to village. And many were transformed by it.
The fundamental teachings of the Protestant Reformation were later summarized in a concise form and given the title, the "Five Solas". 'Sola', in Latin, means 'alone'. The Five Solas of the Reformation were and still remain:
- Sola scriptura - "scripture alone" (II Timothy 3:16-17)
- Sola fide - "faith alone" (Ephesians 2:9)
- Sola gratia - "grace alone" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Solus Christus - "in Christ alone" (Hebrews 4:15)
- Soli Deo gloria - "to the glory of God alone" (I Corinthians 10:31)
Scripture is the only authority. Faith, not works, is all that is required for salvation. Grace from God is the only way for a man to be saved. Christ is the one who has accomplished the necessary work. And all glory belongs to God, which is the objective of your life.
What a tragedy it is that so many are still blinded to salvation by the traditions of men. We see in Scripture that it is clearly a work of God, but so few believe that. The heresy taught by the Roman Catholic church, argued against by Luther and others, has made and is making a shipwreck of the faith of many. May you and I pray that, as the end times draw near, the Spirit of God would open the eyes of many in that false religion who are relying on a false hope.
They are lost. And blind. We must tell them...
Will we?
Pastor Jeremy
