Sola Scriptura

     The Latin Phrase, "Sola Scriptura" means "by the Scriptures alone", and I have decided to discuss this Sola first because it is an integral belief by which the Christian's worldview and understanding of the Gospel stands or falls.

     The Bible as it exists in the Old and New Testaments is the inspired, infallible Word of God without error. The Scripture gives testament to itself in 2 Timothy 3:16, 

     "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"

(2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

     If Christians can agree on this, we have a plumb line by which to measure ourselves and the truth. We have an authority and standard for what is true. Without it, all of our convictions decay to merely suggestion and the Christan faith becomes as subjective and impotent as any business leadership or self-help book on the market.

     God has given people (who only deserve His wrath) a book by which to know Him. He has revealed His character, His saving plan, and His way to Holiness in this book. We would do well to give our lives to studying it. There are men, like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale who devoted themselves daily to the translation of the Bible into English, or even had their blood shed for it. 

     I never cease to be surprised and overjoyed that God has revealed in His Word everything we need to know about Him and His plan to save a people. Through the Bible, God has spoken to humanity and given us comfort, wisdom, correction, instruction, knowledge, and salvation.

     

     In conclusion, I challenge you to treasure the Scriptures for what they truly are; God's words. I charge you to spend time reading and contemplating the Word of God. Even if you have been reading the Bible for years, God can reveal something about Himself in His Word by the Holy Spirit. Finally, I ask you to not just be a hearer of the Word, but a doer of the Word (James 1:22). I would be better off as a Christian to know two or three scriptural truths and live them in my life than to know many scriptural truths and do none of them. 

     What amazes you most about "Sola Scriptura"? Please let me know in the comments below.

     Deal bountifully with your servant,
          that I may live and keep your word.
     Open my eyes, that I may behold
          wondrous things out of your law.
(Psalm 119:17-18 ESV)