Sola Gratia

 

Sola Gratia - "by Grace alone"

 



    I was recently introduced to the Latin phrase - "Sola Gratia" - which means "by Grace alone."  Not only does the sound of the Latin phrase have a lovely ring to it, the meaning is precious and powerful.  I chose this photo I took of a spiral staircase in the Benedictine Monastery in Melk, Austria, because I felt it could signify our upward journey toward a deepening relationship with Holy God and the continuing grace He offers us each and every day. 

 

    God offers wonderful grace to we His creations.  He offers grace through salvation and daily blessings and the privilege of serving Him and His very Spirit dwelling within us.  It's incredible and exciting to see all the ways He shows His love and grace to we mere mortals.

    One of the best Bible verses to show the true meaning of Sola Gratia is found in Ephesians 2:8-9:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

   I'm incredibly thankful that God offers a grace that is greater than ALL our sins.  As the famous song by John Newton so beautifully puts it:  "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."

   I pray this New Year of 2018 will be a year of grace for each of us.  May we show grace to those around us as God has and still does show grace to us.