MAY 12, 2024
Topic: SOLA GRATIA – I
Text: Romans 3:19-28; Ephesians 2:1-9
Memory Verse: “For by grace, you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” – (Eph. 2:8-9 – NKJV)
The Reformation in the 16th Century started by a Monk named Martin Luther aimed to call back biblical Christianity as the sole authority of the word of God, and that sinful men are reconciled with God by faith alone. Five essential doctrines on salvation, otherwise known as the “five solas” were agreed by Theologians and these are: Sola Gratia (grace alone – Rom. 3:10-12); Sola fide (faith alone – Rom 3:27-28, Eph. 2:8); Solus Christus (Christ alone – John 14:6, Acts 4:12); Sola Scriptura (scripture alone 2 Tim 3:16-17) and Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God alone – Titus 3:4-7)
The scripture before us today particularly Sola Gratia leads to fundamental questions: Is salvation a co-operative effort between God and sinners (synergism) or entirely God’s work (monergism), as scripture noted in John 15:5?
Aurelius Augustinus, otherwise known as St. Augustine and referred to as doctor of the Church, in two of his many treatises; On the Grace of Christ and On original sin, noted that humans were born guilty of sin and totally unable to do anything to save themselves, but the sovereign God, by His grace made salvation of sinful humans possible. We are naturally by our Adamic nature prone to sin (Eph 2:3) and thus in “absolute need” of God’s grace of salvation.
What about faith? Augustine noted also that even this was made possible by God working through His Holy Spirit first of all, to turn around our free will, so that we can do good. He then empowers us to do good, showing us that all we have is a gift by the grace of God (1 Cor. 4:7), including “saving faith” which is given only to the believer “elect’’, through the persuasive and not coercive work of the Holy Spirit. He works to compel the sinner to believe the gospel gladly and willingly -This was what happened to Nicodemus in John 3.
Another question: Does God’s grace end at the point of conversion and is it infinitely elastic to sin? The answers to both are an emphatic NO (Rom 6:1-2)! Dear believer, God’s grace continues its work to help from point of conversion to glorification! It helps one to grow in faith and obedience in this earthly realm full of pitfalls; strengthens during spiritual weakness by the help of the Holy Spirit to live as Christians. Thus, the answer to synergism is that if it is by works, grace is not grace (Rom 11:6). Think of it!
PRAYER: Thank You Father for the revelation that I play no part in my salvation because it is entirely Your idea. Ingrain this deeply in my heart Lord, Amen.