Sola gratia the doctrine of Grace Alone – We are saved by grace alone, not by works. #SolaGratia #GraceAlone

Sola Gratia

It’s been awhile since I touched on the Sola series and with my new series Theological Tuesday, I figured I would try to finish up that series.

Sola

Sola is Latin meaning alone or single. Think of it when you sing a song by yourself it is called a solo.

Forms of this word are

Per the Latin Dictionary these are the forms of this word for Alone.

• Sola
• Solus
• Solum
• Solius
• Soli
• Solam
• Solum
• Solo
• Sole

Gratia

Gratia is Latin too. This Latin word means Grace.

Works?

The main point of Grace Alone is we are saved by grace alone. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Works won’t save us. We are saved by Grave Alone or Sola Gratia. We are sinful and our righteousness won’t save us. We cannot earn our way to Heaven like a lot of people think. We cannot be good enough either. None of us can pass the Good Person Test.

Sadly Catholic Church teaches other things and even the Mormons, along with other cults. Most of them believe you can earn your way to heaven by being good enough. Again that is wrong! Paul shows us that in Ephesians when writing his epistle (letter) to the Church of Ephesus.

Grace Alone by our only method.

Ephesians 2:8-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

As we can see it is a gift of God. Only Jesus earned that right and He imparted that onto us from His death, burial and resurrection. As a child of God, God will only see His Son’s precious blood covering us and not our filthy sin. Even in Ephesians 2:1-10, it lets us know we are dead. We are totally deprived. Again it is nothing we can do! Christ is what makes us alive!

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us none is righteous as well as Romans 3:10-11

I think that just sums up By Grace Alone (Sola Gratia) that we are not saved by grace alone and our works won’t save us. Not to mention, we are not righteous! It is nothing we can do either. I thank God for the grace bestowed upon me. He choose to save me.

Amazing Grace!

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come.
‘Twas Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’ve first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.”
—“Amazing Grace” by John Newton.

Sola Series

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo (Christ Alone)
5. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

About the Author

Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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