October 2025

Dear Friends,

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” I Timothy 1:12-17

One of the great gifts of the Lutheran Reformation was the teaching referred to as “Sola Gratia.” Sola Gratia is a Latin term that means “by grace alone.” Luther asserted, rightfully so, that God has chosen to save us, not by any works that we have done, but solely by His Divine grace. Luther made this assertion based solely on the Holy Scripture, especially the epistles of the Apostle Paul.

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:15-21

In this passage, Paul not only speaks about the nature of God’s Divine favor, but also the magnitude of God’s grace. Paul knows this not only though his study of God’s Word, but also by his own experience of God’s grace, as he shared with Timothy. Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners, because of his persecution of the church. Paul indicates that God showed him mercy “for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.” It is as if to say that if God can grant grace to the Apostle Paul, he can surely lavish His grace on anyone. God’s grace is not contingent anything that we do. God bestows His forgiveness, Life and salvation to us, because He is gracious to sinners. God is gracious to us, because of Jesus and His finished work at Calvary’s cross. Praise be to God for the marvelous gift of His grace in Christ.

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Seminary as we endeavor to minister God’s Word to His people. May God pour out His Spirit upon us as we continue to partake of His amazing grace.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Yours in Christ,

Chuck Bylkas