What is sola fide? What does it mean to the modern Christian? In a society that defines success by how much money you make, how many followers you have on social media, or how many awards you have received, it means a shift in perspective. People want to be seen as someone who worked hard and earned what they have. Unfortunately, this attitude has seeped into the church, creating a works-based religion.
On the other hand, modern society has also developed a segment of the population that believes they are entitled to certain things without working for them. In the church, this becomes people who believe that since salvation is a free gift from God, works are not necessary. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
What Does Sola Fide Mean in English?
Sola Fide means “faith alone.” Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Salvation is a gift and not something we receive as a reward for our works. So, what is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The rest of that chapter describes people who were known for their faith, which is often called the Hall of Faith, but more on that later. Faith believes what God says to be true, so we are saved when we believe in Jesus Christ as our savior.
For further discussion of faith, check out Britt Mooney’s article “What Does the Reformation Phrase Sola Fide Mean?” or the Christianity.com staff article “What is Faith?”
Who Invented the Phrase Sola Fide?
The phrase Sola Fide originated in the Protestant Reformation and is usually attributed to Martin Luther. Luther was a German monk and theology professor who became concerned about Roman Catholic authorities emphasizing works over salvation, especially as a means of exploiting people and making money through selling indulgences.
When Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to a church door at Wittenburg in 1517, it started a discussion that returned the focus of salvation to God and His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Lori Stanley Roeleveld gives the full story in her article ”What Makes Sola Fide So Important to Christians?”
What Are the Other “Sola Statements” of the Reformation?
The Sola Statements are five interconnected phrases that sum up the foundation of Christianity:
- Sola fide – by faith alone
- Sola Scriptura – by scripture alone
- Sola Gratia – by grace alone
- Solus Christus – by Christ alone
- Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone
Although each statement means “alone,” all five of the “sola statements” refer to salvation coming from God.
Sola Scriptura pointed to Scripture as the only authority, not religious leaders or traditions.
Sola Gratia points to salvation as God’s gift of grace, which is unearned.
Solus Christus points to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the basis for salvation.
Soli Deo Gloria reminds people that everything must be done to God’s glory, not human glory.
Finally, Sola Fide emphasizes faith, not works, as the means of salvation. Together, the five phrases sum up what we believe as Christians, and all of it is centered on God, not man.
How Does Sola Fide Fit the Bible’s Advice to “Work Out Your Salvation”?
If Sola Fide means faith alone, how do we explain why Paul said to “work out your own salvation” in Philippians 2?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)
Paul is not saying we must save ourselves through works; he is saying we must follow in Christ’s footsteps. We must live out the gift of salvation in our own lives as we daily try to walk in faith. The good news is that we don’t do it alone. God works in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us. While we are “working out” our salvation, we are also doing good works:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Even as Paul emphasized that salvation comes through the grace of God and our faith in what Christ did on the cross, he also pointed out that we were created to do good works. So, we are saved through faith alone, but that faith is meant to give birth to works through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. James also takes up this point in James chapter two:
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:17-18, 26).
Rich Mullins recorded a song titled “Screen Door” on this subject. He compared faith without works to a screen door on a submarine. It’s useless. What good is faith and salvation if you don’t do anything with it? Our faith should give birth to works.
Who Are Some People We See Living Out Sola Fide in the Bible?
James discusses the faith of Abraham and Rahab and how their faith resulted in actions. Abraham obediently followed God’s command to leave his home to a place God would show him. Rahab saved her family by following the instructions given to her by the spies. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews that I referenced earlier is full of stories of people whose actions showed their faith:
- Abel offered his best as a sacrifice to God.
- Enoch pleased God and was taken up into Heaven without seeing death.
- Noah built an ark because he had faith when God told him there would be a great flood when it had never rained.
- Abraham left his home to follow God’s leading in a new country and believed he would be the father of a great nation even when he was old and childless.
- Moses led the people out of Egypt and across the wilderness to the Promised Land. He had faith even when he stood with the army of Egypt behind him and the Red Sea in front of him.
This is only a short list of people throughout history who have put their faith in action and obediently followed God’s commands. Even the priests had to take a step of faith toward the Red Sea before it began to part. Faith is moving forward even when you can’t see how it will work out.
How do you work out your faith with fear and trembling? It’s not that different than working out your muscles. You use it. You take up your cross daily, follow Christ in whatever He tells you to do, and believe that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you to accomplish what you cannot do alone. Sometimes, God asks us to do big things like start a ministry or serve in foreign missions in dangerous places. Sometimes, He asks us to give food and water to a homeless person or offer a listening ear to someone going through a trial. The key is knowing how God is moving right where you are.
Sola Fide, faith alone, is the beginning of our walk with the Lord, but it is also a daily adventure in doing good works. Let’s follow the example of our forefathers in the faith by working out our salvation through obedience. What is it that God is calling you to do today? Step out in faith and do it, and see what the Lord will do.
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Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our larger resource library of Christian questions important to the Christian faith. From core beliefs to what the Bible says about angels, we want to provide easy to read and understand articles that answer your questions about Christian living.
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