Soli Deo Gloria

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 ESV). In a few weeks I am going to begin a new study at Santa Fe Baptist Church. While our church is an old, established church, there are still many people who have joined who may not know a great deal about the roots of our faith. As I have begun to prepare that study, it occurred to me that often we tend to think everyone knows the “basics.” The title of today’s devotional is a Latin phrase that translates into our English as “Glory to God alone.” It has been used by classical artists like Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Christoph Graupner at the end of their compositions to signify that the work was produced for the sake of praising God. The phrase is also one of the “five solas” used to summarize the Reformers' basic beliefs during the great renewal we call the Protestant Reformation in history today. Soli Deo gloria, sola fide, sola gratia, sola scriptura, and sola Christus are all part of the summary statement of central tenets of the Protestant Reformation. As a doctrine, this phrase means that everything that is done is for God's glory to the exclusion of mankind's self-glorification and pride. Christians are to be motivated and inspired by God's glory rather than their own. The Reformer John Calvin appended these letters at the end of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. It was an essential means where he might draw attention to the only source of real glory. Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Romans having taught many important doctrines and outlined the Christian life. Now there is one phrase that captures in a nutshell everything he has been attempting to teach. “To God alone, who teaches us and strengthens us, be the glory forever.” God is the One behind our salvation. He outlined the plan in his eternal mind and began to execute it in the Garden of Eden. He sent his own Son as Savior of the world. He has chosen the hour of Jesus’ return and the end of the world. To him alone be the glory! God has also poured out his Spirit to work in us his fruit and his gifts. The Christian life is essentially God working through us by his Spirit. We can do no good without his strength. To him alone be the glory! It is only difficult for us to agree on this truth because of our own pride and arrogance. As sinful men we want everyone focused on us. Well, look to Him. You will be much less disappointed with the results!