" Solus CHRISTUS - CHRIST Alone ! " (Four of Five)

Colossians 1:12-22  " Giving thanks unto the FATHER, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: WHO hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of HIS dear SON: In WHOM we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins: WHO is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of every creature: For by HIM were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by HIM, and for HIM: And HE is before all things, and by HIM all things consist.

And HE is the HEAD of the body, the church: WHO is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things HE might have the preeminence. For it please the FATHER that in HIM should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of HIS cross, by HIM to reconcile all things unto HIMSELF; by HIM, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath HE reconciled in the body of HIS flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable  and unreproveable in HIS sight: " 

     In all things CHRIST is to have " the preeminence," or first place (v.18). When it comes to Salvation, CHRIST is everything. HIS very name ("JESUS") means SAVIOR (Matthew 1:21). Our full redemption is grounded in HIS marvelous person, HIS finished cross-work, HIS glorious resurrection, and HIS guaranteed promises. The Catholic religious system of the sixteenth century was man-centered and based on tradition, not truth. People were told that they could not understand the Bible on their own and that they could not go to GOD directly (in prayer or conversation) - thus the need for human priests. Mary was given an exalted place in the church's worship. Formalism, ritualism, and dead orthodoxy characterized the church services. The Catholic church was corrupt and encouraged the sale of indulgences in order to fatten its coffers and supposedly shorten the soul's sojourn in purgatory (of which there is no such place in Scripture). The people were full of religion; however, they had little of CHRIST.

     Luther's religious mentors were blind to the soul-freeing doctrine of justification by faith through CHRIST alone. Their question was, "if you leave the Christian to live only by faith and if you sweep away all our good works, our adoration of relics, our singing of masses, our pilgrimage to Rome, our purchasing of pardon for sins, etc., then what will you put in their place ?" Luther's answer was simple: " JESUS CHRIST and HIM alone ! HE is all we need !" How tragic it is that the established church abandoned JESUS CHRIST ! The Reformation was a call to return to CHRIST and HIS WORD. HE " is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11). " For to me to live is CHRIST " (Philippians 1:21). "CHRIST liveth in me," and we live by the faith of the ONE WHO loved us and gave HIMSELF for us (Galatians 2:20). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org