BULWARK OF MY FAITH: THE FIVE SOLAs

By Akin Ojumu

At such a time like this when the Church is packed full of self-absorbed narcissists with over-inflated sense of self-importance, it’s important we remind our ourselves that man is not the Sun at the center of the solar system of the Gospel around which all the other stars bow down and worship. We must remember that the altar built to the worship of the unholy trinity of “Me, Myself, and I” must come down.

Contrary to what you may have been taught or led to believe, the Gospel is not about you, your wants or needs or desires. True Gospel isn’t about your trials and tribulations, or about tests and testimonies. It isn’t about your acts, feats, or accomplishments. Your salvation is not earned by your efforts. What you are and what you have, are all by the grace and sovereignty of God.

The five solas are the fivefold summary of Reformed theology. They capture the core of the Gospel in all its graciousness and Christ-centeredness, just as it is revealed in the Scriptures. These five solas show the glory of God’s gracious way of salvation in a way that sets the tone for true theology, resounding in how we think and live in this world (Courtesy: Ligonier Ministries).

Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)

The Holy Scripture is a gift from God. Inspired and authored by the Holy Spirit through the agency of men, it’s the only inerrant, infallible, sufficient, and final authority for the Church. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Quod non est biblicum, non est theologicum. What is not biblical is not theological. Our theology must be scripturally grounded. God’s life-giving Word reveals to us His salvation and calls us to faith and repentance.

Christ Alone (Solus Christus)

Christ alone is the basis on which the ungodly are justified in God’s sight. The work of Christ is the basis of our right standing before God. Christ alone is the main point of the Bible, and the whole Bible testifies to Him.

John 5:39

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”

Luke 24:27

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

1 Peter 1:10–12

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

Therefore, our theology, doctrine, and sermons must be focused on Christ and not centered on man, his wishes and desires. A message that inflames cravings for temporal pleasures, indulges an appetite for everything without measure, and engenders pride in human achievements and earthly possessions is not from God, but from the pit of hell.

Faith Alone (Sola Fide)

Our justification does not come either as a result of the good works that we’ve done or by our commitment to keeping the Law. Faith is the instrument through which we receive the righteousness of God. Through faith, the believer receives the redemption that Christ has accomplished. Rather than trusting in ourselves, we trust in another: Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:28 

“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

God is the source of our faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. And a faith that saves comes only through the hearing of God’s Word.

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)

Grace is God’s generous disposition by which He lavishes us with good things that we do not deserve. The grace that saves us is an amazing grace. It is the bountiful outpouring of the mercies of God poured out on undeserving sinners. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Everything we receive from God is by grace, from our daily bread to the final resurrection of our bodies. Our salvation is by grace and by grace alone. This grace is an all-encompassing grace not limited just to our salvation but spanning our justification and glorification.

Romans 3:24

“And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Glory To God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria).

Since our salvation is by grace alone, to God alone be all the glory. Because God is the Author and Finisher of our faith, all glory and adoration belong to Him and Him alone. 

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Sources: Ligonier Ministry & The Gospel Coalition