Soli Deo Gloria
“To God Alone be the Glory”
As we conclude our look at the Five Solas of the Reformation, examining the capstone of these declarations is fitting. Our purpose in life is framed by this pronouncement. We live to make God’s name known and for it to be revered.
In light of all that Christ has done to secure salvation for his people, how can any other purpose be ultimate in our life? Surely we have many purposes for which we live, but only one can be supreme.
John the Baptist descriptively framed the trajectory of his life in a creed all Christians should adopt, “I must decrease, and he must increase.” Too often men try to claim glory for themselves. However, the Word of God clearly declares that God alone is worthy of worship, praise, and adoration.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Peter 4:16 …but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Job 1:21 Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
In Contrast to those men who built the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 in order “to make a name for themselves,” Abraham is described as a man who “called upon the name of the Lord.” When Moses gave the Ten Commandments, the first three highlight the fact that God declares his supremacy over our affections. You shall have no other gods before me, you shall make no images (of God or other gods), and you shall not misuse God’s name.
During the 1700’s Johann Sebastian Bach so delighted in the Reformation truth of Soli Deo Gloria, that he signed all his musical compositions SDG. This Lutheran composer and worship leader sought to put God’s glory on display in his music. We too should seek to make the glory of God our supreme aim in all of life. I hope you will join me in pursuing God’s glory alone!
SDG
Pastor Andy