Why is sola fide important?

Answer

Sola fide, which means “faith alone,” is significant because it is a distinguishing characteristic that sets apart the true biblical Gospel from false gospels. The very essence of the Gospel is at stake, making it a matter of eternal life or death. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of getting the Gospel right in Galatians 1:9 when he wrote, “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Paul addressed the same issue that sola fide tackles—how is humanity justified by God? Is it solely by faith or by a combination of faith and works? Paul clarifies in Galatians and Romans that humanity is “justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law” «knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. », (Galatians 2:16), and this is consistent throughout the Bible.

Sola fide is one of the five solas that defined and summarized the key issues of the Protestant Reformation. Each of these Latin phrases represents a crucial area of doctrine that was contentious between the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. Today, these phrases continue to encapsulate essential doctrines of the Gospel and Christian life and practice. The Latin term sola means “alone” or “only,” and these five Latin phrases accurately encapsulate the biblical teaching on these vital subjects: sola scriptura—Scripture alone, sola fide—faith alone, sola gratia—grace alone, sola Christus—Christ alone, and sola Deo gloria.

For the glory of God alone. Each one is vitally important, and they are all closely tied together. Deviation from one will lead to error in another essential doctrine, and the result will almost always be a false gospel that is powerless to save.

Sola fide or faith alone is a key point of difference not only between Protestants and Catholics but also between biblical Christianity and nearly all other religions and teachings. The teaching that we are declared righteous by God (justified) based on our faith alone and not by works is a fundamental doctrine of the Bible and a distinction that separates most cults from biblical Christianity. While most religions and cults instruct people on the works they must do to be saved, the Bible teaches that we are not saved by works, but by God’s grace through His gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Biblical Christianity stands apart from every other religion in that it is focused on what God has accomplished through Christ’s finished work, whereas all other religions are founded on human achievement. If we forsake the doctrine of justification by faith, we forsake the sole means of salvation. “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5). The Bible teaches that those who trust Jesus Christ for justification by faith alone are imputed with His righteousness «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21), while those who attempt to establish their own righteousness or blend faith with works will receive the punishment due to all who fall short of God’s perfect standard.

Sola fide—the doctrOne of the key doctrines of justification by faith alone apart from works is simply acknowledging what is repeatedly taught in Scripture: that at a certain point, God declares ungodly sinners righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness to them “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”, (Romans 4:5,5). This declaration occurs independently of any works and before the individual actually begins to exhibit righteousness. This distinction is crucial, distinguishing Catholic theology, which asserts that righteous works contribute to salvation, from Protestant theology, which upholds the biblical teaching that righteous works are the outcome and proof of a regenerated person justified by God and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

How significant is sola fide? It is so vital to the Gospel message and a biblical comprehension of salvation that Martin Luther referred to it as “the article with and by which the church stands.” Those who dismiss sola fide reject the sole Gospel that can rescue them and inevitably adopt a false gospel. This is why Paul vehemently condemns those who promote adherence to the law or other acts of righteousness in Galatians 1:9 and other passages. However, this crucial biblical doctrine is once again facing opposition today. Sola fide is frequently relegated to a position of lesser importance instead of being acknowledged as a fundamental doctrine of Christianity, which it undeniably is.

“Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to A

Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly, no one is justified before God by the law because, “The righteous will live by faith” (Galatians 3:6-11).