Basic Beliefs of Christianity: Solus Christus

Today we start with our first of the Sola's (which in this case is actually a Solus). We are looking at Solus Christus which means "Christ Alone". So what do we mean by saying salvation is won by Christ Alone? This (and all of the Sola's) were written by the Reformers against the Roman Catholic Church.

What was the argument about? The Roman Catholic Church believed that Christians were not only saved by the merit (perfect life) of Jesus but also by the good works of Mary and the Saints (people the Roman Catholic Church set apart as extraordinary Christians). Christians therefore should pray to God through Mary and the Saints.

This may seem like a little thing but here is the important take home idea for today which shows why this is an important belief to get right. Any time you add to the Gospel you subtract from the Gospel.

In other words if you add something to the Gospel, you are left with something that is not the Gospel any more (Galatians 1:6-9). It is like when you add extra ingredients to cake mix. If you add extra ingredients you throw out the balance of what is there and the cake will come out ruined and sloppy because it won't cook properly. If you add to the Gospel you are left with a distortion of the Gospel, that is not the actual Gospel. 

What are some of the problems with this? The first major one is that it says I need to be saved by something other than Jesus alone. Yet the Bible is very clear that Jesus has done everything we need for salvation. Why do you think at the cross Jesus said "it is finished" (John 19:30)? It is because everything that needed to be done for salvation was won by Jesus. He accomplished everything that was needed so that we could be forgiven children of God.

In their day the Reformers fought the Roman Catholics over this issue. They were adding the works of Mary and the Saints to what Jesus did. In our day, in a post-modern world (one where people say whatever works for you is truth) we need to keep declaring that Jesus is the only way to be saved. That is why in Acts 4:12 speaking of Jesus Peter said,  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Buddha, Muhammad nor any of the gods of the Hindus can save anyone. Nothing I do can add to my salvation. Christ alone is the only one who can save me. He is the only good enough because he lived a perfect life. He is the only one God enough (because he is both God and man) to have the value to be a substitute and a ransom of many humans (Psalm 49:5-9, 15). The only one who can sufficiently cover the cost for my sin is Jesus. Adding anything to his sacrifice is blasphemous.

Understanding "Christ Alone" also changes the way we pray. When I pray, I can come to God with full confidence because Jesus has done everything needed to give me access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22). I don't need to add anything to it. There is nothing extra required, Jesus has covered it all. I don't need to go through anyone else or use any sort of technique to pray. All I need to do is talk to God, knowing he will hear me because Jesus death enables my words to be heard.

There are many verses in the Bible that could be used to describe the belief that we are saved by Christ Alone. But there is one that for me stands out and is worth learning, I hope you can try and learn it with me.

⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone be the Glory)