"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." — Ephesians 2:8-9
We are sinners, unable to save ourselves — and salvation is God’s free gift from first to last. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose for our justification; we receive His righteousness through faith alone, not by any works of our own.
The Watchwords of the Reformation
- Grace alone (sola gratia) — God saves us purely out of His mercy.
- Faith alone (sola fide) — we are justified by trusting Christ, not by earning.
- Christ alone (solus Christus) — the only mediator between God and man.
- To God alone be glory (soli Deo gloria) — the end of all salvation.
Good works follow faith — not as the root of our salvation, but as its fruit: created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
See also: Romans 3:21-28; 5:1-2; Titus 3:4-7; Westminster Confession, Chapter XI.