Soli Deo Gloria – Why This Solo Matters

Soli Deo Gloria – To God Be the Glory
Why This Sola Matters

Here is another post from borrowed sources…Concordia Lutheran Church, San Antonio and other churches have a preaching resource offering thoughts on “What Matters Most” highlighting the five solos (or solas) of the Lutheran Reformation. I believe this may have dome from Dr. Dale Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. I found it to be edifying, so I am sharing it here. – DLB

It keeps our good works good.

The nemesis of this sola is moralism – where we don’t do what we do for God’s glory in light of what He’s done for us, but for our glory to earn God’s favor to get God to do stuff for us.

Here’s the problem.  If that’s why we do good works, then they’re not really good – because we’re not doing them for someone else, we’re doing them for ourselves.  We expect a payoff!

• Our love becomes utilitarian – we love so God will love us. It turns 1 John 4:19 on its head.
• Our generosity becomes selfish – we give to get
• Our grace becomes therapeutic – we show grace to salve our consciences

 

Colossians 3:1-2 – It keeps our focus on Christ.

“Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:1-2

When you keep in mind that what you’re ultimately doing is to God’s glory, do you know who you’re always thinking about?  God!  It shifts our focus to the right place!

John 17:1 – It makes us look more like Christ.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.” John 17:1

There’s this interesting line that Jesus prays right before He dies.

Jesus wants to bring glory to the Father, even if it means a cross.  When we want to bring glory to God, we look like Jesus.