"Sola Fide"

“Sola Fide” Galatians 2:16—yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ…” Another foundational belief of true Christianity is justification by faith alone (sola fide). Justification by faith alone is a very crucial doctrine that we must understand. Concerning this article of faith, Martin Luther said that it is “the article with and by which the church stands, without which it falls”. Before we look at “faith alone” lets look at justification. Justification is the act of God in which he pardons sinners and accepts them as righteous for Christ’s sake. Once this has taken place you are then declared justified. Just-if-I’d never sinned! This is incredibly important to believers because without this justification we will face the wrath of God. So if justification is this important, it is equally important that we know how one becomes justified. This is where faith alone comes in. James 2:24—You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Oh boy! What do we do with this verse? This seems to be an apparent contradiction, doesn’t it? One verse says faith alone, and one says works and faith. So what can we make of this? If “sola scriptura” (scripture alone) is how we discern the truth, what happens when we find these apparent contradictions? Well, this isn’t a contradiction. James 2:24 became the verse that Rome used to refute faith alone. Rome would have been right if that verse stood alone apart from any other idea or point--------but it didn’t. This is where most of us pick up bad theology. We read a verse, remove it from it’s context and then interpret it as literally as possible. Scripture must always be used in the context in which it is presented! Any other way will be spiritually devastating! To understand this verse we must look at James’ original reason for making this statement. James 2:14—What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? First of all, James is automatically implying that the faith that is not accompanied by works is not saving faith. We can only conclude by “can that faith save him?” that James does indeed believe that it is faith that saves. James is talking about a kind of faith that does not produce works. That faith is no faith at all. It is like the seed that fell on the shallow soil (Matthew 13:5,6). It appears to be faith and claims to be faith but is not saving faith. James is making clear that no one is justified by simply professing to have faith, but that justifying faith will always manifest itself in works. John Calvin wrote, “it is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.” This belief has been deemed the “storm center of the Reformation”. This doctrine was arguably the beginning of the protestant faith. The Roman Church had believed and still believes that the combination of works and faith save a person. Let there be no mistake. Works necessarily follow saving faith. If you go to McDonalds and order a hamburger you will also get a bun, ketchup, mustard, pickles and onions. No one orders a hamburger and gets a plain patty. It’s the same way with faith. If faith is given it is accompanied by works. Faith saves all by itself, but it is not by itself.

Update

Well, I said that I would keep you all updated on the play auditions, so here I am. I was selected to play the part of Reuban. If you've seen the play, or the movie, this is the brother that sings the French song- "Those Canaan Days". Thats about all of the updating that I have at the moment. Right now I am just waiting for the next JMB practice. The new songs for the new album are coming together very nicely and I hope that you all will enjoy them as much as our current songs (or even more!). I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'll see you when I see you...

Chasing Rabbits

Chasing Rabbits Originally today’s devotion was to be about “sola fide” but it’s not. Something that has been weighing heavy on my heart completely crushed it last night. I’ll try not to get too preachy but no promises! Last night I watched Barbara Walters special about heaven on WHAS. In this special Ms. Walters interviewed many different religious leaders about their beliefs of heaven. Islamic, Judaist, Evangelicals, Catholics, and Atheists were among the groups interviewed. Many different people with many different beliefs. My heart was saddened as I listened to some of the interviewees’ responses. This is what I would have said if given the opportunity to share and this is what I am saying to all of you who would read this: Heaven is not just a place where all troubles cease. It is not just the place where I may be reunited with loved ones. It is not just the place where no sickness, disease, or death never take place. It is not just a beautiful paradise with pearly gates, streets of gold, walls of jasper, and a crystal sea. Heaven is a real place. It is not just a state of mind or the hope of R.C.’s and Moon Pies. You can forget all of the beautiful sights and loved ones. You can forget about the extinction of disease. There is something far greater than any of that. HEAVEN IS THE PLACE WHERE WE ENJOY THE FULLNESS OF GOD FOREVER!!!!! It is the place where the glory of Jesus himself is the very light by which we will see everything. And all of those things will only exist to bring more glory to him. That is heaven! There is grave danger in any other view of Heaven. There is a way that seems right to man but in the end leads to death and destruction (Proverbs 14:12). The greatest realization that I believe a person can come to is that everything exists, including us, to glorify God. That is it. That is the secret of Life! If you’ve ever wondered why you’re here, that’s it! We must so preach, so teach, and so share the gospel in order to get people to God, not heaven. Heaven does not save anyone. NOBODY! But God does! If you get to heaven you are going to get to God. Heaven is not the end but it is a means by which we enjoy God. The Westminster Confession of Faith states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. I like John Piper’s spin on that. The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. God is the beginning, middle and end of the gospel. John Piper has just recently written a book called, “God is the Gospel”. I will buy that book for any of you who want it. It is imperative that God be the focus of the gospel. We often share the gospel and end it like this; “if you trust Jesus as your savior and lord then you will get to go to heaven.” This makes heaven out to be our God. Heaven becomes the end and God becomes the means. This is simply wrong and possibly suicide. If you could go to heaven and receive all of the blessings of heaven without God, would you still want to go? R.C. Sproul writes in “Grace Unknown”, “This is our error. In our fallen condition we desire the benefits that only God can give us but we do not want him. We want the gifts without the Giver, the benefits without the benefactor.” I have never felt such urgency to share the real gospel in my entire life. Most of the folks in Ms. Walter’s special simply said that they believe in heaven because it brings comfort. One man even said that even if heaven doesn’t exist, believing in heaven so alters our lifestyle that it is well worth the belief even if it turns out to be false. 1 Corinthians 15:19 says that if that is true, we should be the most pitied people of all. I will end with some thoughts that have been running through my head all week thanks to Derek Webb. The cross is both beautiful and offensive. It must be both. The rich young ruler came and found that the true gospel is not seeker sensitive (whatever that means) in nature. It is a call to come and die, but live. Love is not efficient. That is a mouth full. I hope to encourage you to find your peace in trusting a holy God. Not just in his heaven. I also encourage you to search your desires. I hope that God becomes your desire. It will be a fight for us all to desire him more than the things of this life. Evangelical Christians as a whole are not teaching the real gospel. God is the Gospel. Everything else are just simply means in which you get to him or enjoy him. God is the hope of life!

It's Me Again...

Hey guys! It's been awhile since I posted anything on here- life is pretty hectic in high school (I'm sure it all smooths out the day after graduation... right?) Anyway, I don't really have a lot to say, just wanted to share what's going on in my life as we speak (or, i guess as i type and you read). Auditions for the spring musical have been going on for the past two days. Franklin County High School will be presenting "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (yes, just like that cheesy Donny Osmond movie). We have a lot of talented male singers this year so the show should go well. I tried out for the part of Joseph so I'll keep you posted on how that all turns out. I've also been doing some reading for the past few days. I finally finished "Don't Waste Your Life" that I started this summer and never got a chance to finish. It is a truly amazing book by John Piper that will completely turn your life upside down. So once I finished that one, I picked up "Desiring God" (also by Piper) which Josh gave me for Christmas. I am about 1/3 of the way through and it's fantastic. Along side these things, The Josh Martin Band is working hard to get all of the kinks worked out of our new songs before we record them in the upcoming month. Josh has been writing some really phenomenal songs and I think that you will all be pleased with the album. Well, I'll be sure to post more as more developes in life, but until then...

Back to the Studio

In january we will be recording our 3rd album (2nd studio album). I don't know why they call it an album! Can you even get an album anymore? Anyway, the new "cd" will have some of our new songs that you may have heard at some of our concerts. Songs like "Wrap me in Your Cross", "Learning more everyday", "Sweet Embrace" and "I am". Hope to have more details soon. Recording is like no other experience. It is full of mountaintops and valleys with a few screams of aggravation! Probably more screams than mountaintops but oh well!...josh

Sola Gratia

Sola Gratia Romans 11:5,6—So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Almost every believer will say that they are saved by grace but will differ on how much grace was needed to save them. What you believe about grace coincides with what you believe about your spiritual condition. Whether you believe you are born spiritually sick or dead? Some still believe that they are born spiritually well. All of these views determine a person’s beliefs about grace. Pelagianism believes that man is born with no inclinations to sin or goodness. He is like a sheet of white paper. Semi-Pelagianism and Arminianism believe that a man is born spiritually sick. Calvinism believes that a man is born spiritually dead. Regardless of the rest of the luggage that is unpacked with each view, one of them must be right. There are no other options. I believe the grace required for salvation is total. There is no room for me to try and work my way to salvation. The fact of the matter is that we are dead in our sins. Nothing can be done apart from God’s grace to save you. This is why “sola gratia” or “grace alone” is a fundamental truth in the Christian faith. “Grace alone” means that it doesn’t work along side of us. It doesn’t need our assistance even if we were spiritually able to give it. Ephesians 2:8 states that we are saved by “grace through faith” and that it is not by works. Until you come to grips with your sin, you will not understand the grace of the Gospel.

Caedmon's Call Concert

Friday night I had the opportunity to go to see Caedmon's Call and it was awesome! I heard that our Number one fan was going be there but she failed to show so I just sat behind her parents. They finished out the show with "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus". That was worth the whole night. Great concert!! Just thought I would let you know...Josh

Sola Scriptura

Sola Scriptura The next four weeks devotions are going to be on the basics of the Christian faith: “Sola scriptura”, “sola gratia”, “sola fide” and “soli Christo”. This simply means scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone. These are the very doctrines that define true Christianity. This week we will look at “sola scriptura”. “It is not the word of God because the church says so; but that the word of God might be spoken, therefore the church comes into being. The church does not make the Word, but it is made by the Word.” –Martin Luther 2 Timothy 3:16,17—All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Is the Bible infallible? I hope you say yes; at least in the original manuscripts. This is not a new question. But this topic has been brought to my attention several times in the past few months so I thought I would give my two cents worth of conversation. “Sola Scriptura” simply means scripture alone. This is one of the declarations of the Great Reformation of the 1500’s. Martin Luther was very vocal about his convictions concerning the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture. Martin Luther believed verses like 2 Timothy 3:16,17 were foundational to the growth and well being of the church. Luther stated that “the church does not make the Word, but it is made by the Word.” You may ask how this is true. 2 Timothy states, first of all, that all scripture is God-breathed. The hand of man wrote the Holy Scriptures but only by the guidance and inspiration of God. Each prophecy of the Bible is given by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). Many people believe that the translations we have today are not accurate. On the contrary, the English Standard Version is one of the most accurate translations in print today. Many folks hold to the “King James Only” tradition. They believe that this is the only correct translation of the Bible. Many folks don’t realize that the King James Version was a direct translation from the Geneva Bible, which was a translation of the Matthews, Coverdale, and Tyndale versions, which were in turn translations of the Vulgate in 400 A.D. So how can one really look back at all these translations and believe that the bibles that we use today could be infallible? I think that R.C. Sproul put it best in his book “Grace Unknown”. “Suppose the normative yardstick housed at the National Bureau of Standards were to perish in a fire. Would we no longer be able to determine the distance of three feet with accuracy? With the multitude of existing copies, we could reconstruct with almost perfect accuracy the original yardstick.” Luther also believed that the church was made by the word. If you are a Christian, then you are to believe the Bible. That sounds pretty simple but do you conform to God’s word or make it conform to you. It is imperative that you know who the God of the Bible is and not what you can make Him to be. We are made by the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training of the Bible. These are the things that make us who we are. The Bible is the only authority that may bind the conscience of believers. To take the Bible as anything less than the living, active word of God would be spiritual suicide. “Sola Scriptura”! “Semper reformada” (always reforming) should be the battle cry of all believers who will reckon their lives with the Holy Scriptures. Josh Martin