A while ago I had a short post in which I mentioned Sola Scriptura, and seeing that the next Carnival of the Reformation will be on its second great sola - Solus Christus, Christ alone - I thought I'd talk about that.
Whereas the Bible teaches that we are saved through Christ, and his substitutionary atonement alone, it is easy to deny that by addition. That is, saying we are saved by Christ's death, and other stuff. For some, it's Christ and folk religion. For some it's Christ and observance of the Jewish feasts. For some it's Christ and self-discipline.
Paul addresses all these things in his epistle to the Colossians. He reminds his readers that Christ is all they need. Jesus is the "Image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (1:15-17)
This is why we need not - indeed, ought not - add anything to him. Neither rituals nor regulations; neither philosophy nor traditions.
Paul goes on: "In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority," (2:9-10) therefore "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (2:8)
Jesus is the substance of which all Old Testament rituals are but a shadow, therefore "Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." (2:16)
We died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, therefore we should not submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' (2:20-21)
Notice that some of these things are OK in themselves. Being self-disciplined is good. Observing festivals is fine. But we must not think that they add anything to our salvation. Indeed, we shouldn't even think that they bring us closer to God.
Only Christ can do that.
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