16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham,
Sola Fide. This is Latin for Faith alone. This was one of the building blocks of the Reformation in the 16th century. The 16th century church in Rome, by relying on works and penance, had drifted into the same problem that plagued many of the 1st century churches, including Rome. Jewish Christians were clinging to circumcision and keeping the law as requirements for Christians. They were demanding that new Gentile believers be circumcised. Paul wrote strongly against that notion in Galatians and systematically laid it out here. Their patriarch, Abraham, had great faith. He was willing to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God. It was CREDITED to him as righteousness. Paul wanted them to experience the true rest we have in the promise of grace, that God loves us just as much when we mess up as when we clean the mess in the church restroom. Sola Fide.
Many churches in America in the 21st century have returned to this default position which says there must be something we must DO to get to heaven, do good deeds, don’t murder anyone. Be good and go to heaven. That’s no guarantee. When have we done enough good deeds and what if we have sinned greatly? Do we have no hope? The Good News is that we have hope in Jesus Christ regardless of our past, as Paul himself can attest as a former persecutor of Christians. It is never too late to turn to Jesus. Believe and you WILL be saved. Promise. Guaranteed.
Sola Fide