Why are we saved by faith alone?

As we commemorate the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, it is worth reflecting on the five key themes that define it: Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone); Sola fide (by faith alone); Sola gratia (by grace alone); Solus Christus (Christ alone saves); and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone).

We constantly remember these themes because they admirably illustrate what evangelical faith is. To affirm them is to declare that we are evangelicals.

These themes obviously need to be explained. They are all equally relevant, but I believe that, in our day, 'by faith alone' is the most pertinent, as it magnificently summarises the others: the way in which Scripture shows that we are saved by grace, in Christ, and for the glory of God.

First, let us note that this is precisely what the Bible teaches, in the words of Paul to the Romans:

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law”. (Romans 3.21-28).

[destacate]In Scripture, salvation by faith alone is opposed to salvation by works[/destacate]Some would say that it does not mean 'only by faith', but 'by faith'. However, it is undeniable that 'by faith' means 'only by faith', because Paul invariably contrasts faith with works: “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles, know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:15-16).

In Scripture, salvation by faith alone is opposed to salvation by works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

For Paul, works represent the human attempt to save oneself by doing good deeds for God.

Even if done out of love and with God's help, human activity can never be a solid basis for standing before a Holy God who demands perfection.

Possibly the most striking text for those who believe they can be saved by their own works is Romans 4:5: To the one who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

Paul teaches that God saves those who do not work. God justifies the ungodly by faith. The Apostle categorically states that works do not justify us. We cannot be declared righteous before God by what we do because we are all sinners.

It is significant that Paul first affirms the universality of sin before mentioning that we are saved by faith alone:

“As it is written:There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:10-18).

Faced with such a catalogue of human wickedness, which proves our guilt before God, Paul can only conclude that “no one will be declared righteous by the works of the law” (Romans 3:20).

Works means human merit, which does not exist because we are all evil. 'By faith' therefore means without any merit'. Paul affirms in Ephesians 2:8 that even faith itself is an undeserved gift of God's grace.

[destacate]Works are the reason why we were saved and the evidence of our salvation[/destacate]Are our works then worthless? They are worthless for salvation, without a doubt, but Scripture reserves a place for good works. They are the reason why we were saved and the evidence of our salvation:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Prepositions are fundamental to the Christian faith. We are saved not only by works, but for works. It is that faith which has saved us that works through love (Galatians 5:4).

The driving force behind Christian ethics is gratitude to God for the salvation given to us in Christ. Paul states that we were redeemed by Christ to become his people, “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14), that is, a dedicated, determined and fully committed people who strive to do good.

But the ultimate importance of 'by faith alone' lies in the fact that it leads us to look to Christ, and not ourselves, for salvation (Acts 4:12).

'By faith alone' emphasises that salvation does not come from within us, but from what Christ did for us. Our salvation rests solely with the One who loved us and gave himself for us on the cross. (Galatians 2:20).

If, as C. S. Lewis said, our main problem is that constant and suffocating interest in ourselves and our innate selfishness, faith alone takes us out of ourselves so that we can contemplate and rest in Another: the ineffable glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).

This also means that we are saved by one work: the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. His life of perfect obedience to God's law led him to die on the cross as our penal substitute.

Evidence that only His work saves us, is that Christ was raised for our justification (Romans 4:25), that is, to be declared righteous before God solely on the basis of his death on the cross.

We are saved by the infinite merits of Christ, not our own. To be saved is to be captivated by the person and work of Christ.

Faith alone is sufficient for salvation, as it brings us all the benefits of God in Christ: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

Faith implies the assurance and certainty of salvation. This is the glory of evangelical faith, which was rediscovered during the Reformation of the 16th century.

Faced with the uncertainty of salvation that came with relying on indulgences, the Reformation affirmed the certainty of salvation through Christ:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). This is the grace of God in which we stand firm.

Finally, we must realise that by faith alone means giving all glory to God for our salvation, for by faith alone necessarily implies that our salvation depends exclusively on what Christ did for us on the cross.

That is why the entire Bible teaches that only God should receive glory: ‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your mercy, for your truth,’ Psalm 115:1.

Or as Paul says: "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen, Romans 11:36.

In that new heaven and new earth that God has prepared for his church, faith will be replaced by sight, but the purpose will be the same: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever” Revelation 5:13.

José Moreno Berrocal, evangelical pastor, theologian and president of the Theology Working Group of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance.