Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 2/24/2006

Question
Could you please explain Sola Fide to me? I really don't understand its logic, when the Bible includes_so_many_verses (Matthew 25:31-46 for one)indicating that we will be judged according to our conduct. The Catholic position of faith plus works seems the correct view, but perhaps you can enlighten me. Thanks.  

Answer
You would have to throw out the entire Bible to get to a salvation by works.   Adam and Eve's sin had everything to do with trust or faith.  One sin based upon loss of trust cost them eternal physical and their home in the garden.  Works did not save the ones bitten by serpents in the OT.  What saved them was faith in what God said about a brazen serpent on a pole.  They heard, believed and then looked and lived.  Jesus was lifted up in the same way and it is still hearing, believing, looking and living.

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Here is a person who has absolutely no works and yet is saved because he still has the foundation, his faith in Jesus Christ.  At some point he was saved but because of various reasons never grew in his faith or whatever but he is still in Heaven.  He gets no rewards but he is there.

Eph 2:8.9 makes it very clear that works have nothing to do with salvation.

1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Here is a lad in open sin of incest.  Paul says to kick him out of the church so the devil can kill him if he doesn't repent but the soul will be saved.


Eph 1 says we are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we are saved.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,


Until we screw up or fail to hold on?

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Nope, until the day of redemption.

We must take the passages in context.  Matthew 24 is not talking to the Church but to folks in the Trib.  Even there it is there faith that will cause them to hold on to the end or however you want to say that.  Everyone's works will be judged but it will be for reward or punishment.  Faith is the only thing that will get you into Heaven or in Hell if you lack it. Faith in His Work on the Cross not any of yours or mine.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


Man at his best is vanity and all our righteousness acts are as lepers' or menstrual cloths.  We can earn salvation and we can't keep it.   He pays it all. We don't kick in anything.

Indeed, sola Scriptura, sola fide!!!!  Hallejulah for the Cross!!!