Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Thoughts: Late medieval theology (Ockham) had disintegrated into thinking that doing good was so important that it should be rewarded with eternal salvation. One can understand why we should motivate people to do good.
Similarly, late medieval Latin theology talked about forgiveness being earned by penance, by confession, by the Eucharist, by indulgence, and by the transferring of righteousness/grace from one person to another. The problem is that while a priest could say that they absolve someone, that does not mean that the sinner felt forgiven. Luther, when he was a good monk, felt he needed to do more and more to somehow obtain forgiveness for his sins. It was only when Luther realized Christ alone could forgive that he actually realized he was forgiven and trusted his forgiveness. Protestants could speak of assurance of salvation because of the assurance that they were forgiven by Christ’s act (and not their own plus Christ’s act). The Roman Catholic church at the time taught that repentance and our actions were necessary for salvation and that we could lose our salvation. While Luther was more vague, Calvin spoke of the doctrine of eternal security and perseverance.
Our salvation does not depend on our actions plus Christ. Our salvation does not depend upon some saint and the cross of Christ. Our salvation does not depend on our taking the Lord’s Supper and Christ’s cross. It is not doing any law or good that makes us acceptable. Christ’s grace shown on the cross and accepted by faith makes us acceptable- and forgiven.
Prayer: Lord, help me to appreciate your
love alone and your work for me.
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