Solus Christus

 

[Jesus said] “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:63-69 ESV).

 

From the Reformers’ commitment to Scripture alone flowed another core teaching: Solus Christos (Christ alone). In an age when the church hindered the people in the pews from reading and understanding the clear teaching of Scripture, Martin Luther wrote that “Jesus is the center and the circumference of the Bible.” Today many of our children announce this truth before they can even read, when they sing, “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.” It is essential to understand this truth if we are ever to see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in revival of our world.

 

Embedded in this teaching are four key ideas: First, we need a savior; second, Jesus was perfectly obedient and sinless; third, He made a sacrifice to pay for our sin and rebellion against God; and, fourth only through Jesus can we be made right with God. And it’s not just our Scripture for today that points to Christ alone. From start to finish —from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 — all of the Scriptures point to Jesus. He is the only redemptive message of God’s Word.

 

There are so many who have intentionally or unintentionally altered this message. Sometimes is a subtle instruction of intent or action on our part that is a prerequisite to redemption. It may be claiming membership in a particular denomination or adherence to a specific translation of Scripture that becomes the test of true faith. It may be a message of self-help or empowerment that promises the grace of God. None of these will work. It is ONLY Jesus who has the words of eternal life. He alone is the way to the Father. If you are trusting in what you have done to bring you redemption, you are lost and still in darkness. Your journey of faith begins and ends with Jesus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is simply wrong.