Sola Fide

500 years ago, Martin Luther was deeply troubled, and it was this restless torment that would lead to a discovery that would change his life and the lives of many who would come after him. Luther wrestled with his sin. He was painfully aware of his brokenness. History shows us that Luther would spend countless hours in confession tirelessly confessing and repenting of every sin in his life, from big to small. Yet, it was never enough for Luther, because he was also fully aware of God’s total and complete perfection. The question that plagued Luther’s mind was how could a broken and sinful human being come into right standing with an absolutely perfect God with absolutely perfect standards? How could Luther, warts and all, come to know and to be loved by a perfect, holy, and just God?

As he sought to find an answer for this question, Luther read a scripture that would change his life…

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:17

Like a light bulb that was suddenly switched on in a dark room, Luther’s mind was illuminated. He was given an answer to his question; Sola Fide or “Faith Alone.”

An “Alien” Righteousness

In this moment of clarity, Luther realized something important about our faith and our justification. Previous to this, Luther was burdened with how God, through means such as church sacraments and personal piety, could make an unrighteous and imperfect person righteous and perfect according to His standards. However, in this moment Luther’s eyes were opened to the text of the Greek New Testament and to the word dikaios, which didn’t mean to make righteous, but rather to regard as righteous, to count as righteous, to declare as righteous.* All of the sudden it began to become clear for Luther. Could it be that the righteousness that saves me is not my own? Could it be that the righteousness that saves me belongs to someone else? Luther referred to this as justitia alienum (an alien righteousness). This was a righteousness that is outside of us, namely the righteousness of Jesus Christ. *

At this realization, Luther said, “When I discovered that, I was born again of the Holy Ghost. And the doors of paradise swung open, and I walked through.”

The Gift of Faith

Since this is true, how can one receive this ”justitia alienum” or “alien righteousness?” If we are saved by the righteous of Jesus Christ, if we are declared righteous through Christ, how do we obtain it? If we are unable to earn it, to secure it, or to work for it, then how are we to know that it is truly ours? The answer…. By Faith Alone! “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

Sola Fide means that we are saved by Faith Alone. Meaning, we are not saved through a righteousness of our own. We are not saved through our own works or merit. Moreover, our works and our merit do nothing to assist or to supplement our salvation. We are saved through an alien righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and we receive His salvation through faith and faith alone.

This is Sola Fide!