Read all of Romans, with special attention to the following verses: Romans 3:10,20,23,21-22,24-25,27; 4:4-5,16,20-21; 5:1-2,8,15; Ephesians 2:8-10
The period of time known as the Protestant Reformation that swept through Europe in the 16th century resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism. The major tenets of this movement are summarized by these 5 statements:
- By Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)
- Through Faith Alone (Sola Fide)
- In Christ Alone (Solus Christus)
- According to Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)
- For God’s Glory Alone (Soli Deo Gloria)
Salvation is a work of God’s free grace through faith alone in Christ alone. Those who are saved are made right before God, that is justified, through the perfect work of Christ and not through anything that the believer does to merit his/her salvation. This is a theme that runs through all of Paul’s letters, but it is in this letter to the Roman church that the Apostle Paul presents with greatest clarity this doctrine of justification by faith alone.
Paul clearly walks us down this “Roman Road” of salvation: 1) all humans are sinners, helpless to save themselves; 2) only the perfect work of Jesus Christ saves sinners; 3) only faith in Jesus Christ – not anything the believer does merits God’s favor; 4) even that faith is a gracious gift of God and a work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and life of the believer; 5) God in Christ receives all the glory for justification; 5) justification brings peace to the heart and mind of the believer with assurance of their eternal salvation.
In light of what the Scriptures say about justification by faith alone and considering Paul’s words, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have
been saved—” (Ephesians 2:4–5, ESV), interact and give your responses to the following questions:
- What does it mean to be “dead in our trespasses” and “made alive together with Christ”?
- When you consider your conversion experience, was there anything that you contributed to your own salvation? If so, what? How?
- How is this message of the Gospel both “good news” and “bad news”? (consider 2 Corinthians 5:19-21
- when you answer this question.)
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