On any given Sunday morning it is not uncommon to hear a preacher say something like, “the subject before us today is one of the most important truths in all the Bible.” What makes this claim so peculiar, is that it isn’t all that peculiar. What I mean is this; most likely the pastor made the same statement last week, the week before and the week before that. I know this happens, because I’ve done it myself. In our defense, it is somewhat understandable for a preacher to feel this way after he’s spent hours (if not months/years) studying and preparing to speak from this text. Yet at the risk of redundancy or potentially lessening the veracity of my claim, allow me to say, the subject of this article is in fact, one of the most vital truths in the Bible.
This teaching is one of the fundamentals of the Christian faith, the import of which cannot be emphasized strongly enough.While we may disagree on Biblical teachings like; how much water it takes to Scripturally baptize someone, when the church began or what will happen when Jesus returns – our understanding of how fallen men can have a right relationship with God, is not something on which we can “agree to disagree.” This is instead, a truth of paramount importance. Quite literally, the souls of men hang in the balance over how we handle this subject. Moreover, if you get this teaching wrong, you get the Gospel wrong. And friends, if you get the Gospel wrong, you get everything of eternal value wrong.
Hence, this subject is indeed one of the most crucial and critical truths anyone can ever consider. I am referencing, the teaching of Sola Fide, or salvation by Faith Alone. This doctrine seeks to define how mortal men are declared righteous before God. Allow me to remind you, the word “sola” is the Latin word for alone or only. This Sola (Sola Fide) is the third we have considered in this series. As previously stated, one cannot overstate the difference between employing the words “alone” or “and” in understanding doctrine. These two ideas, alone or and, are grammatically and theologically polar opposites. Either mortal men are justified (declared righteous before God) by faith alone, or by faith and something else!? It cannot be both.
If, as we have already noted, the Bible is the final authority in all spiritual matters, it is to Scripture alone we must turn to find out how lost sinners are declared righteous before God. Readily does God Word declare sinners are saved by grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone. Plus nothing.
Just how important is this teaching? The Bible scholar and theologian John Calvin said justification by faith is “the main hinge upon which true religion turns.” Martin Luther stated that justification is “the first and chief article of the Christian faith.”
Yes, there are those under the overly-broad umbrella of Evangelicalism who teach salvation is accomplished by faith plus works, or by faith plus good deeds or by faith plus human merit. Yet, if the Bible is clear on anything, it is clear on this – sinners are declared righteous by grace alone through faith alone in Christ’s meritorious work alone, plus nothing. Let me share a small sample of Biblical evidence to this end. The New Testament book of Galatians was written to address this very subject. First, in Galatians 2:16 we read this, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Even a cursory reading of this passage makes clear, no one is, or ever can be, justified by human effort. I really do not know how much plainer the Apostle could be? Still, to emphasize the point to his readers, he repeats himself three times in this one verse. Read these words again, “a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ … that we might be justified by faith in Christ and NOT by the works of the law; for by the works of the law NO flesh shall be justified.” If I seem repetitive, it is because the inspired writer is repetitive. But also note, just a few lines down the scroll, Paul also writes this (Galatians 3:11), “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’” Regardless of what some may claim, no amount of law-keeping or human effort, in any form can earn entrance into heaven. There is zero ambiguity in these and other New Testament writings about this primary truth. Readers please hear me, sinners are justified (declared righteous) by grace alone through faith alone! Romans 5:1 reads, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Bible is crystal clear on this subject, as it should be.
What one believes about justification (and all spiritual truth) really comes down to this … is Scripture your final authority? Or do you rely upon the inconsistent opinions of men? Are you willing to submit to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture or does tradition and councils determine doctrine?
Wrongly teaching how men are justified before God, is a not a minor infraction but a major offense. In fact, I would encourage everyone to read the first chapter of Galatians and note the stern rebuke Paul issues to all who wrongly handle the Gospel. Make no mistake, if someone claims sinners can be placed into a right standing with God, by any means other than by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone – they have the Gospel wrong. Further yet, they are not only leading men down a path of perdition, but headed to Divine judgment themselves.
So, if your preacher gets in the pulpit this Sunday and he addresses the subject of justification by faith alone, and claims (yet again) this is one of the most important doctrines in all the Bible, you can rest assured – he is absolutely right.
Expositor Online 