Pillars of the Reformation - 5. Sola Deo Gloria.

The fifth pillar of the Protestant Reformation was Sola Deo Gloria - to the glory of God alone. 

All of these pillars were defined and articulated by the Reformers in opposition to the errors of Romanism. This fifth pillar likewise stands in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

Rome looks upon the Church as the mystical body of Christ. 

The term ‘Corpus Christi’ is Latin for the 'body of Christ'. In viewing the church as the body of Christ Rome goes on to argue that to honour the Church is to honour Jesus Christ Himself.

However, the Reformers believed that the saints canonised by the Roman Catholic Church, along with the Popes, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy are not worthy of the honour or the glory that was accorded them. It should not be the human individual that is exalted for their good works, but rather praise and glory ought to be given to God alone who is the author and finisher of the faith of His people and who is the Sanctifier of His people and source of their good works.

The Scriptures teach that all glory belongs to God alone. 

Cf. Romans 5:2: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God; Romans 11:36: For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Paul in these texts is teaching that all things are:

[1] Of God as their eternal source;

[2] Through God as their efficient means; 

[3] To God as their ultimate end.

By Him all things are; through His power, wisdom and goodness, all things are directed and governed; and to Him as their last end all things proceed. Why is this so? To Him must all the glory be for evermore, Psalm 115:1: Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

There is no room for the Church or the Pope or the saints or anyone or anything else to have any glory. God in Christ is to have all the glory. Well may we say with 1 Chronicles 29:11: Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

The glory of God outworked in our lives. 

The significance of this pillar in our lives is twofold: 

[1] God’s supreme end in planning, purchasing and applying salvation is His own Glory, Psalm 106:7,8: Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. It was nothing in the Israelites that brought salvation to them. God was working solely to display His own power.

[2] The chief end and sole intention of those who have experienced God’s saving grace is therefore to bring glory to Him. The true believer desires to do all things to the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God; Revelation 4:11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Our happiness or contentment or ease of live or absence of trials is not the primary motive in all things. Rather it is the glory of God!