Introduction:
I believe it essential to return to the heart of the gospel—the truths that ignited the Reformation nearly 500 years ago. The Reformers, guided by the Holy Spirit, called the church back to the Bible, and in doing so, they articulated five foundational principles that we call the Five Solas.
These Solas —Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone, and Glory to God Alone—are not merely historical slogans. They are essential truths that preserve the purity of the gospel and the vitality of our faith. Without them, Christianity becomes distorted or diluted.
Let us walk through each one, grounding ourselves in Scripture and considering how these truths shape our lives today. I will also share some of the thoughts and teachings from the late John MacArthur.
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1. Sola Scriptura — Scripture Alone
“The Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.”
Illustration:
Imagine a pilot flying a plane using outdated maps and advice from passengers instead of the official flight instruments and GPS. Just as a pilot must trust the accurate and authoritative instruments to reach the destination safely, believers must rely on God’s Word alone—the trustworthy and divinely inspired “instrument” that guides us safely through life and faith.
The Reformation declared that Scripture alone holds ultimate authority over all matters of faith and conduct. This was a corrective against the prevailing view that church tradition or human reasoning could stand alongside or above God’s Word.
Scriptural Basis:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "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."
This passage reminds us that every part of Scripture is inspired by God, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to equip us for every aspect of life and godliness.
Application:
How often do we let culture, feelings, or popular opinion shape our beliefs more than Scripture? Sola Scriptura calls us to center our lives on God’s revealed Word. It means when doubts or questions arise, our first and final resort is the Bible—not the voices of man.
Ask yourself: Am I consistently studying the Bible? Do I evaluate all teaching, traditions, and even my own beliefs by Scripture? The Reformation’s call still stands—Scripture alone is our foundation.
MacArthur emphasizes that Scripture is the exclusive, authoritative source of truth. In his book Reckless Faith, he writes: “If a doctrine is truly fundamental, it must have its origin in Scripture, not tradition, papal decrees, or some other source of authority.” — Reckless Faith
Additional scripture readings:
1. Psalm 19:7-9 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart...”
2. Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
3. Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, ‘It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
4. Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
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2. Sola Fide — Faith Alone
“Justification is received by faith alone, apart from works.”
Illustration:
Consider a person drowning in a river, desperately trying to swim to safety but only sinking deeper. Then a rescuer throws a life preserver, and the person simply needs to reach out and grab it. The person is saved not by swimming harder but by faith in the rescuer’s gift. Just like that, we are justified before God not by our efforts but by faith in Jesus.
Justification means being declared righteous before God. The Reformers emphasized that this is not something we earn by keeping laws or performing good deeds. It is received by faith alone—trusting fully in Christ’s righteousness credited to us.
Scriptural Basis:
Paul clearly teaches this in Romans 3:28: "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
Our works have no power to save us. Salvation is the gift of God’s grace, received only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Application:
Do you trust in your own goodness, or in the finished work of Christ for your salvation? The call here is to rest your hope not in your efforts, but in Christ alone. This frees us from the burden of trying to earn God’s approval and gives us peace.
This truth also calls us to share the gospel boldly: we do not ask people to clean up their lives first, but to believe in Christ alone.
In his preaching through Galatians, MacArthur highlights that faith alone is the means by which we are justified. He notes that Paul’s condemnation in Galatians 1:8–9 is directed at anyone who corrupts the gospel by adding works: “The strongest words of condemnation in all the New Testament are aimed at false teachers who corrupt the gospel.” — Reckless Faith
Additional scripture readings:
1. Galatians 2:16 “...we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ...”
2. Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. Philippians 3:9 “...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”
4. John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life...”
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3. Sola Gratia — Grace Alone
“Salvation is by God’s grace alone.”
Illustration:
Imagine a man drowning in the ocean, struggling against the waves, exhausted and helpless. A lifeguard spots him and jumps in without hesitation. The man, completely powerless to save himself, is pulled to safety—not because of anything he did, but because of the lifeguard’s generous act of mercy. The man’s survival depends entirely on the lifeguard’s grace.
In the same way, salvation is entirely by God’s grace. We cannot save ourselves by our good works or efforts. We are completely dependent on God’s undeserved kindness to rescue us from the consequences of sin.
Grace means unmerited favour. No one deserves salvation. It is entirely the result of God’s sovereign mercy.
Scriptural Basis:
Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "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."
God’s grace is the source of salvation, making it a gift, not a reward.
Application:
Do you view salvation as something you earn, or as a free gift? Recognizing salvation as grace alone fosters humility. It destroys pride and leads us to worship God more deeply.
Furthermore, grace is not just about the start of salvation but the whole Christian life. When we stumble, grace picks us up. When we grow weary, grace sustains us.
MacArthur teaches that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, without human merit. He contrasts this with false teachings, which he says wrongly combines grace with works. He writes: “Sola gratia declares that salvation is by God’s grace alone in defiance of the other beliefs in grace plus works.” — Grace to You Blog
Additional Scripture readings:
1. Titus 3:5-7 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...”
2. Romans 11:6 “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.”
3. 2 Timothy 1:9 “...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace...”
4. John 1:16-17 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
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4. Solus Christus — Christ Alone
“Christ alone is the mediator and the means of salvation.”
Illustration:
Imagine a courtroom where a judge demands full payment for a debt you cannot pay. Suddenly, a stranger steps forward and pays the debt in full on your behalf. There is no other way to settle it—only this person’s payment counts. That stranger is Christ, who alone paid the debt of our sins.
There is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ. He is the only mediator between God and man.
Scriptural Basis:
John 14:6 records Jesus saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
This is exclusive and clear—no other person, ritual, or religion can save us.
Application:
Are you trusting in Christ alone? Have you accepted that Jesus is the exclusive way to God? There is no “Plan B” or “second chance” apart from Christ.
This truth challenges us to proclaim the gospel clearly and lovingly, knowing that salvation is only found in Him.
MacArthur affirms that Christ is the sole mediator between God and man. He rejects any notion of co-mediators, stating: “Solus Christus asserts that salvation is appropriated by faith alone in Christ alone and apart from any human works.” — Grace to You Blog
Additional Scripture Readings:
1. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all...”
2. Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
3. Colossians 1:19-20 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things...”
4. Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him...”
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5. Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be the Glory
“All glory in salvation is due to God alone.”
Illustration:
Imagine a grand orchestra performing a complex symphony. Each musician plays a vital part, but the audience’s applause is not for any one player—it is for the composer, whose genius crafted the entire masterpiece. Without the composer, the music would not exist at all.
In the same way, everything in our salvation—the calling, the redemption, the transformation—is God’s masterpiece. We are like the instruments, each playing a part, but all the glory belongs to God alone, the ultimate Composer of our lives and salvation. When we live for His glory, we acknowledge that He alone deserves praise for everything good in us and through us.
The entire process of salvation—from God choosing us, to Christ redeeming us, to the Spirit applying salvation—exists so that God alone receives glory.
Scriptural Basis:
Paul sums it up in Romans 11:36: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
This means every blessing, every work, every answer to prayer points back to God’s glory.
Application:
Are you living to glorify God in all things? This truth humbles us and refocuses our motivation. We do not live for self-praise, but to honour God in our thoughts, words, and actions.
As we grow in faith, our worship deepens, and our lives reflect God’s glory to the world around us.
MacArthur teaches that all of life and salvation exists for God’s glory, not man’s. He sees this sola as the goal of the other four: “Soli Deo Gloria reminds us that everything we do should be done to the glory of God alone.” — Grace to You Blog
Additional Scripture Readings:
1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
2. Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other...”
3. Ephesians 1:5-6 “He predestined us for adoption... to the praise of his glorious grace...”
4. Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power...”
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Conclusion
The 5 Solas of the Reformation are not relics of the past; they are living truths that guard and guide our faith today.
• Scripture Alone reminds us to ground everything in God’s Word.
• Faith Alone calls us to trust Christ completely.
• Grace Alone teaches us that salvation is God’s gift, not our merit.
• Christ Alone directs us to the exclusive Savior.
• Glory to God Alone centres our lives on God’s honour.
May these truths strengthen your faith, deepen your worship, and inspire you to live fully for the glory of God.
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Closing Prayer:
Gracious Father, we thank You for the truth of Your Word—unshakable, sufficient, and alive. We praise You for the grace that saves, the faith that justifies, the Christ who redeems, and the glory that belongs to You alone. May these Five Solas not just be doctrines we affirm, but truths we live. Help us to stand firm in Your Word, to walk humbly in Your grace, to trust wholly in Christ, and to live for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
