On October 31, 1517, an event occurred that literally changed the course of millions of followers of Christ. On this day, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the doors of a church in Wittenberg, Germany calling for the Roman Catholic church to reform and return to the Bible as the sole authority for doctrine and life. However, instead of moving the Catholic church to change, Luther’s act led instead to the birth of Protestantism.

What is the essential message of the protestants?

Sola Scriptura – “Scripture Alone,”

Sola Gratia, “Salvation by Grace Alone”

Sola Fide, “Salvation by Faith Alone”

Solus Christus, “In Christ Alone.

Soli Deo Gloria, “For the Glory of God Alone.”

In essence, as the scriptures (alone) clearly teach, our salvation is based on God’s grace (alone) as we place our faith (alone) in Christ (alone) for God’s glory (alone).

These are the truths that make Christianity unique to all other religious faiths. In fact, all religions except for Christianity add to these truths which is the main reason why we know that other religions are manmade. The concept of “salvation” (getting to heaven) on our own merits is the default mode for the human mind. Man’s religion involves a list of do’s and don’ts, steps to follow, rules to keep. This is what makes “sense” to us as humans.

In stark contrast to this is Christianity. The belief that our salvation has NOTHING to do with us at all. However, this concept of an omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful, Holy God who offers salvation as a FREE gift to all who put their faith in the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross is a difficult idea for men to grasp!  We want it to be about us, but we all know deep inside that we are “not good”. As Paul tells us, “there is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God” (Romans 3:10-11) Yet, GRACE is the AMAZING truth that  “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8)  God seeking out sinful man and providing the sacrifice, and a new life no longer bound by the curse of sin is an idea that could NOT have come from the mind of man!  The message of GRACE is so radically different than every other approach to God because it is based on the truth that we can NOT do anything to prove our worth or “earn” our way to heaven because even on our best days we are sinners whose “good deeds” will never be “good” enough. As Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8 – “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.”

Thankfully, my salvation is not based on me and my ability to be good.  It is GRACE alone that saves, and this same grace keeps me in right standing with God! Soli Deo Gloria!!

• “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me

• I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

• ‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, And Grace, my fears relieved.

• How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed!

• Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come.

• ‘Twas Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.

• The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures.

• He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

• Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,

• I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

• When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,

• We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’ve first begun.

• Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.

• I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.”

—“Amazing Grace” by John Newton.