SOLUS CHRISTUS—CHRIST ALONE

Fourth in a five-part “Solae of the Reformation” series by AFLC Schools faculty

Our all-glorious and all-gracious God has only ever had one purpose to save us—His beloved but fallen creatures—from our awful sin and complete sinfulness. This plan of God to save us is only known by anyone through the truth revealed in Holy Scripture (sola Scriptura).

God would Himself come into His creation in the person of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity. It is only in Jesus that God has personally become a man for the sake of our redemption (John 1:14). Christ alone (solus Christus) could accomplish the needed salvation by being the only sin-bearer (Isaiah 53:6). He Himself would carry the world’s sin and judgment on the cross (I Peter 2:24). Jesus the Savior has rescued us from captivity to the evil one and made us citizens of His wonderful kingdom (Colossians 1:13). There is no one else among all the people of the world in whose Name the world’s salvation can be found (Acts 4:12). The Bible assures us that Jesus alone is our “righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30). Christ Jesus is our one, sure and certain advocate and defender before the judgment seat of the Almighty God (I John 2:1). He is the only saving truth and message that God’s people have to offer to this sin-sick and dying world (I Corinthians 2:2).

            “Therefore He is able also to save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). It was not God’s will or purpose that Jesus would only begin the work of salvation and leave the completion of it to someone or something else, neither for all the world nor for each individual sinner. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 21:6); He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). In Him believers are made complete (Colossians 2:10).

Solus Christus. Christ alone. No one else. Nothing more. Salvation and eternal glory are only and completely in Him. The needy sinner needs no other.

God is moved to pursue His saving plan only by grace (sola gratia) and sinners receive and enjoy the blessings of His grace only by faith (sola fidei). May all the praise and glory for this wonderful salvation be to God alone (soli Deo gloria)!

Pastor Steve Mundfrom
Professor of Systematic Theology
AFLC Schools
Plymouth, Minnesota
AFLC Promotion for October is H.I.S. Fund

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