Acts 15:18 *Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world*.
*ASIDE SALES OF INDULGENCE: THE FIVE BIG TARGETS* (e)
We thank God for the reformation. Without the reformation, we won't be here. All protestant churches worldwide need to study their history over again because an adage says, "If you don't know where you are coming from, you will not know where you are going".
Centuries after the reformation, I can say that some doctrinal errors have crept into the protestant circle subtly especially among we charismatics who believe in the operations of the gifts of the Spirit. We tend to give primacy to gifts than the word under the guise of "It works".
*God is not concerned about what works as much as He is concerned about what is right*.
That is why we must carefully examine all our practices in the light of God's word which is the final authority in matters of life and doctrine. Let's examine the final Sola.
v.*SOLI DEO GLORIA- GLORY TO GOD ALONE*
1 Corinthians 10:31 *“whatever you do, do all to the glory of God*”
The reformer fought against human pride and boasting in works. You know the flesh takes pride in things and gives credit to self instead of God. That is the spirit that operates in religion. It is the spirit of pride. Religion takes pride in what it prescribes for men to do not in what Christ has done for men.
Anyone who rejects the finished work of Christ on the cross is a proud man. Why did I say so? Such people prefer the way of self effort so they can glory in it.
*The reformer's view is that If salvation is Scripture + faith + grace + Christ, then humans get 0% credit. The whole point of life, church, art, work = make God look big, not us. It is about Him not us.
Any preaching or theology that points to self and not Christ is not of God. He does not want to share His glory with any man. Stop deifying men; the medieval church deified priests, bishops and the pope to the point where they claim infallibility for the pope. This is self glory.
It is important to note that Luther and other reformers didn’t make a “5-point list”. They fought for Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia. Solus Christus + Soli Deo Gloria were always believed but the “5 Solas” list was organized by scholars 1900s-1990s to teach it.
If you take away any “sola”, the gospel changes. Add human works/tradition/pride and you’re back to 1517.
Tell me, do you want works or grace?