Sola gratia is Latin for, “by grace alone.” “This phrase refers to the Reformation conviction that salvation is by God’s grace alone and that even saving faith is due to the gracious activity of God and cannot be viewed as a meritorious human achievement.”^[1] Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone. This doctrine was not invented by the Protestant Reformers. It predates the Reformation. When Martin Luther was asked to recant his beliefs he responded, “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”[2] The Reformers were convinced by the Scriptures.

What is grace? Grace has been defined historically as, “the unmerited favor of God.” It has also been described as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Paul wrote, “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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8–10). Luther wrote, “But no man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone… then he has come close to grace, and can be saved.”[3]

What is the significance of this biblical doctrine? The only way any person can be saved from sin and eternal wrath is by God’s grace. If salvation is by grace alone, which it is, then it is clearly not by works or personal righteousness. No one contributes anything to his or her salvation. “No merit of man either before, at, or after his regeneration by the Holy Spirit contributes to his salvation. The only merit by which a sinner is saved is Christ’s merit.”^[4] It is critical because of the ramifications. If you get this doctrine wrong it has eternal consequences. Teaching that salvation is a cooperative effort between man and God (i.e. synergism) is an error that results in damnation. There have been individuals and groups that have gotten this wrong, and continue to do so.

We read in the N.T. that there were Jews who thought Abraham was saved by some form of personal merit (and by extension so were they because of their relation to him). This is why Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, debunked this error in his letter to the Romans. No one, not even Abraham, is saved by anything other than grace (Rom. 4:1-5). Why was it necessary to address this error? Because it exists and it is extremely dangerous. If anyone thinks this is an isolated error you would be wrong. Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia confronted the error of those who were seeking to blend works and grace concerning justification (Gal. 2:21; 3:1-14). The apostle declared to them that such a message is actually a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). So dangerous is this false message that Paul calls down a curse upon those who are preaching it (Gal. 1:9). These people were distorting the gospel (Gal. 1:7). They are acting as servants of Satan, deceiving others, as they present a counterfeit message. This is a very serious issue.

As Christians, we must hold fast to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Once again, this is not based upon the Protestant Reformers’ word and authority. It is squarely founded upon the Word of God. Levi Berntson writes, “Sola gratia means that from beginning to end, salvation is of the Lord (Ps. 3:8; 62:1; Rom. 8:29–30).” Augustus Toplady wrote,

“Not the Labours of my Hands
Can fulfil thy Law’s demands:
Could my Zeal no respite know,
Could my Tears for ever flow,
All for Sin could not atone:
Thou must save, and Thou alone!”[5]

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! Salvation is by grace alone.

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^[1] C. Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 109.

[2] Martin Luther, Cited in Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (Ontario: Mentor Book, 1950), 144.

[3] Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will, Luther’s Works, Vol. 33: Career of the Reformer III, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann, vol. 33 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999), 33: 61–62.

^[4] Alan Cairns, Dictionary of Theological Terms (Belfast; Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2002), 422.

[5] Augustus Montague Toplady | Thomas Hastings, Rock of Ages, © Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain.