Romans Part 2 - FaithSample

WE BOAST IN THE LORD

When Martin Luther wrote his translation of the Bible, he added the word “alone” to Romans 3:28 so that it read: “For we maintain that man is justified by faith alone apart from observing the law.” He added the word alone because, though not in Greek, it accurately reflects the meaning of Paul’s text.

On Cornerstone’s church pulpit, emblazoned for all to see, are displayed the five solas. The word sola, in Latin, means ‘alone’ or ‘only 'and sola fide means ‘by faith alone.’ Paul, in this passage, is bringing home the principle that nothing can be added to our faith; even our faith, itself, is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8 tells us we come to God for salvation by His grace, through the gift of faith, so that we cannot boast. We would not be able to believe except that God gave us faith as a gift to save us. Paul says, in Romans 3:27, that there is nothing for us to boast in except in what God has done for us.

What is it we might boast about? Because we obeyed the moral laws of God? We can’t boast in that; it is our duty to obey. Because we are justified in righteousness? We can’t boast in that; it is Christ’s righteousness through which we are justified. Because we have faith that saved us? We can’t boast in that because it is by grace that we are saved through the faith given to us as a gift. We can’t boast in what we have done in the Lord’s name because He gave us the gifts, talents, and abilities to accomplish "the work He ordained for us to do in advance," as we are told in Ephesians 2:10.

That is the meaning behind ‘sola fide,’ faith alone. Not with our help, intentions, or works are we brought to faith, given righteousness, and justified. II Corinthians 10:17 tells us, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord, for it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” All praise and glory is due to the One who saved us and holds us until that day.

I remember an incident that illustrates this for me. Swimming at Mayfair Pool, in the heat of the summer, was fun and refreshing. But I remember one scary occurrence. A young girl was floundering in the deep end of the pool. Splashing and looking panicked. Some around her noticed her distress, but looked confused. One boy shouted, “She needs help!” The lifeguard jumped in and rescued the girl, pulling her out of the pool, scared, but okay. In what could the girl boast? In herself, because she trusted the lifeguard? No, what else could she do? She could not boast in the boy who recognized her need, but could offer no help. She could only boast in the one who rescued her, in the one who saved her.

Similarly, we boast in the Lord.

-Jinet Troost

Family Corner Questions

What does it mean to Boast? When it comes to our faith, who can we boast about?