Today’s devotion comes from Romans 4:16-25.
“16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
17 (as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”
19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;
20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,
24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” Romans 4:16-25.
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Reformed Doctrine still calls out the Reformation’s “Five Solas”: “Scripture Alone”, “Christ Alone”, “Grace Alone”, “Faith Alone”, and “Glory to God Alone”.
Although the word “alone” does not appear in today’s Scripture, today’s Scripture reminds me of these “Five Solas”. Although no one portion of Scripture exclusively presents and promotes the “Five Solas”, we can certainly consider and meditate upon these “Five Solas” as we read this Scripture for today.
The primary emphasis of this Scripture for today is faith. Abraham “with respect to the promise of God, … did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith”. There was nothing that he could do to earn descendants: “he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb”. Here is “Faith Alone”.
“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace”. Here is “Grace Alone”.
Abraham knew it was by “Grace Alone”: “giving glory to God”. Here is “Glory to God Alone”.
“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also”. Here is “Scripture Alone”.
“He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” Here is “Christ Alone”.
This devotion presents a very “nutshell” presentation of “The Five Solas”. A detailed article explaining “The Five Solas” is always available by clicking the tab at the top of my web site. It was written by Rev. Rodney Kleyn of The Protestant Reformed Churches.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 