Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 (CSBBible)
Written in 2017 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, “Reformation Hymn” is a modern hymn collaboration from Bob Kauflin (Sovereign Grace Music) and Tim Chester. The song highlights the 5 Solas of the Reformation—Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)—and gives a nod to the great hymn writer Martin Luther by pointing worshipers to Christ.
Grace Music
Reformation Song
Your word alone is solid ground,
the mighty rock on which we build.
In every line the truth is found,
and every page with glory filled.
Through faith alone we come to you,
we have no merit we can claim,
sure that your promises are true,
we place our hope in Jesus’ name.
Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone.
Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone.
In Christ alone we’re justified,
his righteousness is all our plea.
Your law’s demands are satisfied,
his perfect work has set us free.
By grace alone we have been saved,
all that we are has come from you.
Hearts that were once by sin enslaved,
now by your pow’r have been made new.
Written by Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester
Paul got it! The Holy Spirit revealed to him the crux of the gospel message. As he wrote his letters to several churches, the gospel is spelled out. In our passage from Galatians, Paul points out our faith alone in Christ alone because of God’s grace alone is our hope and shows the glory of God. This is God’s Holy Word, not man’s creation. Peter reminds us, “Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” All of the “Solas” are because God loved us so much, he gave Christ to die for our sins. That shouts, “Glory to God!”
As Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester penned “Reformation Song,” they had the Five Solas in mind. In the last stanza they write, “Hearts that were once by sin enslaved, now by your pow’r have been made new.” This reminds us that we were dead in sin but are new creations in Christ alone, He is the way, truth, and life.
The question is, have you put your faith in Christ? Are you still enslaved in sin? The answer is found in God’s grace. Soli Deo Gloria!
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick