What is Sola Gratia?
by Sam Hughey
The hallmark and glory of Protestant theology is its commitment to sola gratia,or the assertion that we are saved by grace alone. This is not limited to those who are Reformed in their theology but also to those who are Arminian in their theology. No true evangelical Christian will claim that their salvation did "not" come to them entirely by the grace of God alone. However, many who support the Arminian position will also come dangerously close to the heresy taught by the Roman Catholic Church and others in that the grace of God "must" be coupled with something that "I" do in order for me to be saved.
Prior to the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic church emphasized grace, but not grace alone. Roman Catholicism and other religious sects teach that grace requires human cooperation and effort if one is to be saved at all. The error taught among Arminians results from a confusion of Ephesians 2:8,9, et. al. The false notion of "free will" also plays a large role in the development of grace alone (but adding "my decision"). There really is little, if any, difference between the Roman Catholic view and the Arminian view of salvation, so long as the grace of God must have a cooperation by man of any kind for any reason.
As a former fundamental Baptist, I was constantly reminded that our salvation is most definitely by the grace of God but the faith of Eph. 2:8 was "mine". Now, in order for the man of 1 Cor. 2:14 to be saved, God must first call; next, "I" must decide if "I" truly want to be saved (which contradicts 1 Cor. 2:14); and then "I" must invite (or allow) God to come into me and be my savior. This has trampled upon the grace of God and has made human effort (cooperation) a necessary addition to grace in order to be saved.
Actually, Holy Scripture never teaches this. If anything of human effort, whether it be physical, mental or otherwise, is added to the grace of God then our salvation is not by the grace of God "alone". John 1:13 clearly states that our salvation does "not" come by our heritage, physical ability or mental agreement of any kind. The grace of God is the glory of God. Man must never share this wonderful and glorious gift that can only come from our Lord Himself. This is what makes grace truly "amazing grace" for why would He save a sinner as I.
When Paul asked our Lord to be relieved of his "thorn in the flesh", Jesus simply replied; "My grace is sufficient for you". Oh, if we could only capture the mind of Paul when we attempt to capture the mind of God. The grace of God is not only sufficient for our "thorns" but also for our very salvation. In fact, without the grace of God, there would be no salvation from God. Our so-called "free will", our vain attempts to obey rules and our man-made religious activity will leave us in the same place where it all begins, "spiritually dead" with no hope of salvation in spite of any and all our human activities.
| Amazing Grace lyrics by John Newton, 1779 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, I have already come. 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. And when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the vail A life of joy and peace. When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun. |
Pasted from <http://www.reformedreader.org/sola_gratia.htm>
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