Acts 15:18 *Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world*.
*ASIDE SALES OF INDULGENCE: THE FIVE BIG TARGETS* (d)
Every believer need a good grasp of the Solas. They are fundamental and foundational. If you say you are saved, you need to know what your salvation rest on. Understanding is crucial in this matter.
Those that still attribute salvation to their works are not saved because it cannot be earned, it is a gift (Eph 2:8-9). Being religious or pious does not guarantee salvation. The reformers sought to make this clear so that no one sits on the fence.
The fourth Sola is:
iv.*SOLUS CHRISTUS - CHRIST ALONE*
1 Timothy 2:5 *'there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus*".
The medieval church regarded saints, Mary, priests as co mediators with Christ. This is the reason they pray asking them to join in intercession. In the 'Hail Mary' Catholic prayer, a line reads: "...pray for us sinners". This style of prayer is not found in the early church of Acts of apostles neither can it be substantiated in the epistles.
Mary cannot pray for anyone. She is not in the position to do that because the bible says, *"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. CHRIST JESUS who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and IS also INTERCEDING FOR US*" (Romans 8:34 NIV)
Hebrews 7:25 says, *"Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf*".
Our intercessor in heaven is Christ not any of the saints. It is a misdirected request to ask saints to do what Christ alone is permitted to do. None of them can rub shoulders with Christ.
At best, saints that are gone into glory can be called "cloud of witnesses". They are seeing and watching how we are running the race but not involved in any form of intercession for us.
Hebrews 12:1-2( NIV) says, *"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us*",
If you read the verse that comes after, you'll see that we are enjoined to fix our gaze on Jesus not on any saint because Jesus is the perfecter of our faith.
*"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God*"(vs 2).
Christ alone-that is what you need. No one should usurp His authority and mediatorial role in your life. You don't need any saint to connect you with God, Christ is the bridge to God. Go through Christ.
John 14:6 (NIV) says, *"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me*"
Jesus alone
Solus Christus