ODJ: the five solas
October 31, 2009
READ: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught (v.14).
On October 31, the US, UK, and many European countries celebrate Halloween. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic Samhain festival, where it is believed that on this day, the boundary between the living and the dead dissolved. Subsequently, the dead could cause problems such as sickness for the living. Halloween is now a multimillion-dollar industry for retailers.
But for the believer, October 31 is also Reformation Day. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. His writings sparked the Reformation Movement throughout Europe. He and the other reformers lifted up five solas that they defined as essentials of Christian belief and practice: sola Scriptura (by Scriptures alone), sola fida (by faith alone), sola gratia (by grace alone), solus Christus (by Christ alone), and soli Deo gloria (by glory to God alone).
The reformers reiterated what Paul wrote 15 centuries earlier:
• Sola Scriptura. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. . . . God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Sola fida, sola gracia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria. The holy Scriptures “have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (v.15). We are justified (made right with God) by grace (undeserved favor) through faith, without need for good works (Ephesians 2:8-9); for Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). And this is all for God’s glory alone.
This October 31, let’s reaffirm the five solas of the Christian faith and think about what they mean for us (v.14). —K.T. Sim
Which one of the solas means the most to you? Why is it important to reaffirm what we believe?
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Loading ...ODB: hallowing halloween
October 31, 2009
READ: 2 Timothy 2:19-26
He will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. —2 Timothy 2:21
The word hallow isn’t used much anymore, and when it is, the uses have a broad range of meaning. Christians use the word when we say the Lord’s prayer, as in “Hallowed be Thy name.” Often the word is associated with the last day of October, which we in the US refer to as Halloween, a shortened form of All Hallows’ Eve.
In Scripture, the word hallow is a synonym for the word sanctify. When we hallow or sanctify something, we set it apart as being holy.
The name of God is not the only thing that we are to hallow. We too are to be hallowed. Paul urged Timothy to be a vessel sanctified and useful for God by pursuing “righteousness, faith, love, [and] peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” and by avoiding “foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Tim. 2:21-23).
On this last day of October, children in the US will be carrying bags filled with sweets. Thinking of them can remind us to ask: “What is filling the vessel of my life? Is it a bitter attitude that leads to foolish disputes and strife, or is it a sweet spirit that leads to righteousness, faith, love, and peace?”
We can hallow today, and every day, by setting ourselves apart for God to be used by Him. — Julie Ackerman Link
A Christian’s greatest joy is to be used by God.
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By Tracy Phua, Singapore
“So how has your week been?” My cell group leader asked me. I looked up, shrugged my shoulders, and gave my usual orchestrated response, “Super busy.”
I must admit, I’ve been guilty of giving such patronizing response. But in my defence, I HAVE been really busy, and not to mention, stressed out.
Every week, there are numerous deadlines to meet, and copius amount of tutorials to prepare in order to secure my participation points. Staying up late to complete assignments and thereby having to struggle to stay awake during classes hence practically sums up my student life.
Trying to be aligned with God’s Word amidst the trying week that drains me both physically and emotionally is a constant struggle. But I am reminded that: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). It reassures me that when I am faced with overwhelming deadlines, decisions to make and commitments to fulfil, our God is always in control. I know that He will give me the strength to face tomorrow, if I can just trust enough to let go and let God.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps 46:10). While finding time to take a breather in our hectic lives can be challenging, perhaps, that’s what we truly need to recharge ourselves.
We could try to set aside a few hours on any day of the week to “be still”—to put our to-do list aside for a while and give the time to our Lord. He deserves it. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:11-13).
Spending time with God has greatly benefitted me, and I’m sure it will help you too. So fret not, and press on!
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