Christ Alone (Solus Christus)

The Five Solas (“Alones”) of the Reformation – Oct. 28

In the week leading up to Oct. 31 (Reformation Day) we will be looking at the 5 Alones (Solas), watchwords of the Reformation: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, and To God’s Glory Alone.

Christ Alone (Solus Christus)

John 14:4-7

4 “And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

These words from Jesus are heard by us in a particular way because we are almost hyper-conscious of living in a multi-religious world. So we hear these words as Jesus’ statement that following him is the only way to God. He is making an exclusive claim to be the way, the truth, and the life.

The people of the Reformation (the Reformers) heard these words slightly differently. They heard here that Jesus was all that was needed to come to God, nothing else was needed. The Reformers rejected all attempts to add anything else to the road to salvation, it was Jesus only, Christ alone.

This insight is worth thinking about, because human beings like to add things to what is needed for salvation. For example, Jesus and going to church; Jesus and personal daily devotions; Jesus and serving others. Going to church, having personal daily devotions, serving others, are all good things, but they are not necessary for our salvation. Christ alone is all that is needed.

Discipline is required to keep it that simple. It seems too simple – too easy – surely there has to be more than just Jesus. Something else besides Jesus must be required, is what we start to think. But the call is simple, only Jesus, that is all that is needed.

 We believe that if people meet Jesus they will be changed. We believe that if people meet Jesus, that connection will shape their lives so that they want to follow him. We have heard stories that were that simple, we know people whose story is, “I met Jesus that has made all the difference.”

Christ alone, nothing else is needed. Thanks be to God.

PRAYER:  

God of salvation, we rejoice that Jesus Christ is all that is needed for our salvation. That it is that simple. Stop us from trying to add anything else. Thank you that meeting Jesus has made all the difference for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.