Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!
This blog, like a building, needs a good foundation otherwise it will collapse in the storms that will inevitably come. So what is the foundation of Back to Scripture? I will succinctly put it in 5 key pieces and explain each piece in its own future post. These 5 pieces are also known in theological circles as the Five Solas. The Five Solas were originally part of the Protestant Reformation from the Catholic Church in the 16th century (Holcomb, www.christianity.com). They are:
- Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
- Sola Fide – Faith Alone
- Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
- Solus Christus – Christ Alone
- Soli Deo Gloria – To the Glory of God Alone
Each of these pieces of the foundation are crucial to understanding where the blog is coming from and where it is going. I was first introduced to these as child in my Christian private school. Back then I hadn’t yet surrendered my life to Christ but even then I could see the importance of each one. The 5 Solas take the responsibility of salvation from man and put it back to where it truly resides, God.
Sola Scriptura says that Scripture, not man’s ideas or feelings, is the final word on Himself and His character. Galatians 1:8-9 says, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!” https://backtoscripture.com/2018/07/15/sola-scriptura/
Sola Fide says that salvation is by Faith alone. We cannot reason ourselves to God’s threshold especially since He is so far beyond us. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” https://backtoscripture.com/2018/07/15/sola-fide/
Sola Gratia says salvation is by Grace alone. We cannot buy or work our way into heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from Works, so that no one can boast.” https://backtoscripture.com/2018/07/15/sola-gratia/
Sola Christus says salvation is through Christ alone. There is no other way to get to heaven except Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven give to people, and we must be saved by it.” https://backtoscripture.com/2018/07/30/solus-christus/
Soli Deo Gloria says that glory is God’s alone. God alone is worthy of glory and praise. I Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.” https://backtoscripture.com/2018/07/30/soli-deo-gloria/
These will be the underlying foundation of where this blog is coming from and will guide where it goes. The Lord alone has final say in all matters, especially when it comes to Him and His character. He is the one that saves and Him alone. We cannot earn or buy our way into His kingdom; nor can we leave it if He has called us. Christ is the only way to heaven, all other ways lead to destruction. All of this will glorify the Triune God even if it doesn’t make sense to us at this time.
For His glory!