Sola Scriptura

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.   – John 17:17 

On October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany, a professor of moral theology at the University was posting a listing of 95 theses he called “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” to the door of the cathedral. Five years earlier, at his promotion to doctorate, Martin Luther swore on an open Bible to teach only true doctrine. Through his studies, he came to realize that the salvation of humankind is in Jesus Christ alone and that any indulgence from God was not something to be bought or sold but something that came as a person received salvation in Christ and committed to serving the Lord. His words, “sola fide, sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia,” – through Faith alone, by Scripture alone, in Christ alone, and by Grace alone – summarized what began the Great Reformation of the 16th century. 

When Jesus prayed that His followers would be sanctified in the truth, He was seeking their holiness in all areas of human life and activity. Martin Luther later wrote, “The Word of God is the greatest, most necessary, most important thing in Christendom.” Writing lyrics for the famous Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” Luther penned, “God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.” 

The truth of God’s Word is the foundation on which you stand in faith. It is the only sure thing in the midst of a world in turmoil. Pray that truth would triumph in the halls of power in Washington, by God’s grace.