Tag Archives: Solas

Bible 101: Justification By Faith

“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.” – Gal. 2:16

I get more pushback on this topic than on any other. It is Bible 101. It is foundational.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” – Gal. 3:24-25

“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” – Gal. 4:9

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1

“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” – Galatians 5:4-5

And this is just some of the verses… and just in Galatians

Sola Fide!

Holy Week: Good Friday – The Crucifixion, Death, & Burial of Jesus

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” – Matt. 27:46

Holy Week: Good Friday – The Crucifixion, Death, & Burial of Jesus.

This is the most brutal day in history. At 3pm, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Humankind, the Son of God – gave up His spirit.

“‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” – Luke 23:46

The sun goes dark, the veil is torn, the earth quakes, the rocks split, the graves open.

“So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” – Matt. 27:54

Friday’s events are recorded in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37.

He Made Havoc of the Church

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” – Acts 8:3

The fact that this same man would go on to write Romans is hard proof of God’s transforming grace.

Pray the Word of the Lord May Run Swiftly

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,” – 2 Thes. 3:1

Pray boldly and with patience that the word of God may speed ahead and be honored.

We depend wholly on God; not our skill, gifts,or persuasiveness. It is His work alone.

So we know Whom we should thank and Whom we should ask assistance for successful evangelism: the LORD.

Be Ye Thankful

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Col. 3:15

Be ye thankful. Three little words; so simple yet so profound.

Spurgeon says let this be the tune for the little birds to whistle at your window, “Be ye thankful.”

We are ruled by peace. We are called in one body. When we are apt to grumble, recall those three little words: Be ye thankful.

Where Is the Wise?

“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” – 1 Cor. 1:20

Paul knew something about the egotism of Man. He was born and groomed among the wisdom of this world.

Then God knocked him off his high horse.

He was on his way to kill some Christians and instead, became one.

The Sower Sows the Word

“The sower sows the word.” – Mark 4:14

Read Mark 4:1-20.

WHAT IS THE SEED?

There can be no question about what the “seed” is. Jesus spells it out in verse 14: the seed is the WORD of God.

It is not money.

A teacher who tells you to “sow a seed of money” is a FALSE teacher.

Teaching that encourages you to bribe God is a FALSE teaching (Deut. 10:17).

God is not a wishing well. He doesn’t sell indulgences. You can’t force God’s hand, scratch His back, offer quid pro quo, exchange with Him, or swap with the Living God. He will not be prostituted. God is not for sale.

The result of sowing the seed of God’s word is not material things. The fruit is regeneration. The harvest is thanksgiving to God who created the growth in the first place (2 Cor. 9:10-12 and 1 Cor. 3:7).

It’s about saving souls, not getting shiny new stuff or promotions.

What kind of god would God be if He operated like this? If the price is right, I’ll grant your request. What? God is not a banker, He is the Father.

How different is this than the teachings of Jesus! Couldn’t get more different! Check out Matt. 6:25-34.

Who was the only disciple concerned with wealth?

Seed faith teaching is a scourge on the body of Christ. It is a plague. It is a cancer.

Yes, absolutely sow a seed. Not a man-centered seed, but a biblical one; the word of God.

Go and Do Likewise

“And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.‘” – Luke 10:37

This is Jesus’s reply to the lawyers’ question of who’s my neighbor (Good Samaritan, Luke 10:29-37).

This principle is to be our response as well.

If we know anything about the wondrous grace shown to us, it will be a natural outflow of our heart to all.

How do we make Christ known to the lost? By meeting material and spiritual needs.

He Saved Us

“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” – Titus 3:5

It’s nothing that we have done. It’s all a work of God.

The only things we bring to the table are fig leaves and filthy rags. God does all the heavy lifting.

He saved us.

Time and Truth Go Hand in Hand

“For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” – Eccl. 12:14

King Solomon ends his rumination with this somber, ominous promise.

Every work WILL be brought to God’s holy judgement.

Nothing, good or evil, is hidden from God.

Nothing, good or evil, is exempt from God.

The truth will out. It always does.

Time and truth go hand in hand.