Sola Fide vs Faith + Works

If you've been reading Unsealed for the past few months, you may have seen my series on The Gospel, where I handle "works-righteousness" and salvation.  I recently found a really good article that does a thorough historical comparison between the Biblical doctrine of Sola Fide and the Roman Catholic (and N.T. Wright Protestant) doctrine of grace through works-righteousness.  I would encourage you to read it: http://www.equip.org/article/justification-the-catholic-protestant-argument-over-justification/

What amazes me is how many even in evangelical circles are quickly forgetting two very basic things:

1. Jesus died for your sins.  Why is that hard to understand?  Why obscure the most basic of all Christian beliefs?  He didn't just die to give you a moral example to follow... He actually died for your sins.  This is the heart of the Gospel, called "first importance" by Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  Yet Christians muddy the waters to no end, beginning within one or two generations of the Apostles.

2. Philippians 2:12.  You don't "work for your salvation" (if you did it would completely negate the Cross: see Galatians 2:21).  You "work out your salvation".  In other words, you don't work to merit salvation, you work out/from your already obtained position of salvation in Christ.

This issue is so important, especially now as we see the Day approaching.  Know whom you believe in.  Know God's standard of total perfection.  Will you offer your attempt at a good life as the admission price?  I would instead say to hide yourself in Christ.  He already paid the price.

Newer Post Older Post