Bethany Bullet - October 13, 2015

Unfailing Grace – Sola Gratia

Text: Romans 5:15-19

Sola.  As Lutheran Christians we are familiar with the term “Sola.”  When paired with the terms: Grace, Faith and Scripture, the word Sola spoke of the only means by which one is saved, the only way through which one has certainty of heaven, and the only place where truth is found.

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) was the first of these Reformation “Sola ‘slogans,’” so to speak. 

Of course, in our world and in our colloquial usage grace can mean a great many things.  Jerry Seinfeld’s friend, Elaine, makes that perfectly clear. (Click HERE to see what Elaine has to say about grace in this Seinfeld YouTube clip). *If you are unable to open link then copy/paste this into your browser to view: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENgJZlmgI6U

While in daily usage “grace” may refer to an activity of ours prior to a meal, the agility of a player on the field or performer on stage, or the ability of someone to remain calm under pressure; in Biblical usage Grace is a quality of God’s not of ours.

Grace is God’s undeserved favor (that is how God thinks and feels) toward us (sinners) for the sake of Jesus (on account of His perfect life and innocent suffering and death). 

St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, clearly proclaims that sin was not a “sola” event. 

Yes, ONE sin, led to death, however, death spread to everyone, because EVERYONE sinned; everyone but ONE.  Jesus is truly Sola; in a class by Himself, the only one to never transgress, and the only one to fully obey always. 

Thus it is, “Certain that death ruled because of one person’s failure.  It is even more certain that those who receive God’s overflowing grace and the gift of his approval will rule in life because of one person, Jesus Christ.”  (Romans 5:17)

Thus to say, “Faith Alone” is to say, “Christ Alone!”

Pastor Kevin Kritzer