"Breathed out by God."

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If you were to look at the 5 Solas of the Reformers, you would see Sola Scriptura, “Scripture alone.” It is a defining doctrine that gives us confidence that the Word of God is true and without error. The doctrine has far-reaching implications for the Christian.

In today’s verse, Paul wrote exactly that: Scripture is inerrant. Scripture equips the human mind to understand God. As the Holy Spirit enables us to understand more and more of God’s words, we grow closer to God and, because of the Word, have ever-deepening assurances of not only our own salvation, but the sovereignty of God.

The Bible is a record of God’s consistent provisions, mercy, and grace for His people. It shows us God never changes, that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) This is why we have assurances in our faith, our salvation, and our Savior.

The 5 Solas are in the order they are because each one leads to the next, with all leading to God.

Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone. It is through scripture and the hearing of the word that God opens our hearts and minds to receive the good news of Christ Jesus. This leads us to the next Sola.

Sola Fide – Faith alone. It is by faith alone that we are justified, made righteous before God. This faith is received through the next Sola.

Sola Gracia – Grace alone. It is by God’s grace alone that, through scripture, we come to faith and are justified, beginning our walk of sanctification. The next Sola is who we have faith in.

Sola Cristus – Christ alone. Through scripture, we find faith by God’s grace in the risen Son of God. He who sacrificed Himself bearing our sins so that we could be rejoined to God in a living relationship. All this through faith in Christ alone. But why? What is the purpose? The last Sola tells us.

Sole Deo Gloria – We are saved for the glory of God alone. He is our creator, He is our Father, He is our Savior, and through these steps, the mission of our redemption by Christ alone, we are able to be adopted into the family of God and can glorify Him forever.

Without belief in scripture, we cannot find understanding of God's faithfulness to His people. We have no concept of His sovereignty over all things. We miss the foretelling of our Savior Christ Jesus. There would be no redemption, and if there were, we could not understand how we are to live before our all-holy and righteous God.

Is the Bible without error? Yes, God created all things from nothing, Ex Nihilo; therefore, there is no miracle, no sign, no display of power that is not capable by God. Can God stop the sun in the sky yet maintain the continuity of the rest of creation? Yes, God is capable of all things. (Joshua 10:12-14) He is the great I am; we are the great are-nots. Understand the Word of God, and you will understand what I mean. Gone are fears, anxiety, sleeplessness, longing, and lack of understanding as to what your purpose in this life is. All of this and more is contained in the perfectly breathed words of God, the scriptures.

Believe the Word of God and find truth in the Solas. We are saved by Christ alone.

Grace and Peace.