Sola Scriptura means “Scripture alone” and expresses the conviction that God’s inspired Word is the only unerring, all-sufficient, and final authority for the faith and practice of the church. In this political season, we are reminded that the Bible is our plumb line to reality, our sure and certain foundation in a world full of noise, agenda, and distortion.
Solus Christus means “Christ alone” and holds forth the beautiful truth that Christ and Christ alone is the basis upon which sinners are justified in God’s sight. This is our core identity as the people of God. We are united with Christ. We belong to Him first and foremost, and all other allegiances—including political parties—pale in comparison.
Sola fide means “faith alone” and maintains that those who believe in Christ receive His redemption only through faith. The ultimate hope of the world lies not in political change, but in spiritual transformation. When people are reconciled to God through Christ and filled with the Spirit, then the world will begin to change as people change by faith from the inside out.
Sola gratia means “grace alone” and proclaims that all of salvation, from beginning to end, is only by the grace of God. The hope of the world lies in God’s gracious intervention. Grace is our only hope, both as people, and as a nation. We ask for grace, not because we deserve it, but because God is good.
Soli Deo gloria means “glory to God alone” rightfully asserting that God alone deserves all glory, honor, and praise for our salvation. All things exist for the glory of God. He is the rightful King and Sovereign over all the nations, including our own. No matter who comes out on top in this election cycle, God still reigns. Christ is building His church. And God’s kingdom is still advancing.
These truths help center us as we vote with passion. We take the privilege of voting as a weighty responsibility. We vote our consciences, and rest in the bigger story into which God has welcomed us. We keep our eyes on Christ, and our hearts set on His coming. In the meantime, we choose to live on mission with Jesus sharing and showing God’s love to the world around us.
Because, as the Reformers remind us, we are loved, more than we know.
In this week where we look back to Reformation Day and look ahead to Election Day, I thought it would be good to remind ourselves of the Reformation truths that ground us in the midst of a chaotic and divisive political climate. As you know, the Reformers centered their doctrinal insights around the five Solas, which we still hold with conviction over 500 years later.
