The Human Condition: Sin, Choice, and the Gospel
Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, by Grace Alone
30 min read
1. The Cry of the Reformation
The Reformers summarized the gospel in five solas: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and to the glory of God alone. This lesson focuses on the three solas that answer the question, "How can a sinner escape hell?" The answer is faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone. No one is saved by works, religious activity, moral respectability, or family heritage.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. This is not a Reformation invention. It is the teaching of Jesus and the apostles from beginning to end.
2. Grace Alone
Grace is unmerited favor. It means that God saves us not because we are good but because He is good. Grace precedes faith; it enables faith; it sustains faith. Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We did not qualify for salvation. We qualified for wrath. Grace interrupted our path to destruction.
Grace alone protects the gospel from every form of human pride. If we could contribute to our salvation, we would boast in our contribution. Grace removes every ground for boasting except the cross.
3. Faith Alone
Faith is the empty hand that receives the gift of grace. It is not a work that earns salvation; it is the instrument by which salvation is received. Romans 4:5 says that to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Faith is resting on Christ's finished work rather than on our own imperfect obedience.
Saving faith is more than mental agreement. It is trust, surrender, and reliance. It includes knowledge of who Christ is, assent to the truth of the gospel, and commitment of the soul to Him.
4. Christ Alone
Faith must have an object, and the object is Christ. Acts 4:12 says that there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. John 14:6 records Jesus' exclusive claim: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Christ alone means that His life, death, and resurrection are the whole ground of salvation. His righteousness is counted as ours. His death pays our debt. His resurrection gives us new life. We add nothing to His work; we only receive it.
Practice & Assessment
Common student mistake: Adding good works, sacraments, or religious identity to faith as grounds for salvation.
Practice assignment: Read Galatians 2:15-21 and Ephesians 2:1-10. Write a paragraph explaining why adding anything to Christ's work destroys the gospel.
Worksheet idea: "Sola Chart" — for each of the three solas, list the biblical text, the meaning, and the error it opposes.
Completion requirement: Student can explain faith alone, Christ alone, and grace alone, and can identify why each is essential to the gospel.
Questions on Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, by Grace Alone
- What do the three solas say about how a person is saved?
ANSWER: By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
- How is faith different from a work that earns salvation?
ANSWER: Faith is the instrument that receives salvation; it does not contribute merit to salvation.
- Why is Christ alone the only way of salvation?
ANSWER: Because only His righteousness, death, and resurrection can satisfy God's justice and bring us to God.