Sola Adfectus or Sola Scriptura

When you read the title, you might scratch your head and ask “why are you using Latin?”. Well, if you do some studying on church history you will see that one of the five main points that were furthered or pushed through to reform the Church was, Sola Scriptura. That statement translates to “Scripture alone” and is important because at the time of the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church taught that what the pope said was just as important, and carried as much weight, as Scripture. That being the case, the reformers of that time came up with that saying “Scripture Alone.” This means, no matter what anyone may think or say, Scripture is the final authority on any matter for us and influences us in all aspects of our lives. 
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Now that we have a basis of why “Scripture Alone” is so important, let's look at the first half of the title. Sola meaning “alone” just like for Scripture Alone, Adfectus in Latin means feelings. This is a serious issue, believe it or not. Do we live by our feelings? Do we base our life's decisions or the manner in which we live by our feelings? Are we teaching in our churches that we can worship God however we feel? Is it possible that it has reached the pulpit down to the pews? 
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If you were to walk into almost any large church in America you might be able to hear in the music a lot of reference to the feelings of the author of the songs being sung. Or if you were to sit through some sermons in those churches you might hear the pastor say something to the effect of “I want to share what's been on my heart.” Or even “this scripture means this to me…” You see, God is very specific about a great many things in Scripture and a great many in America, and even across the world, do not pay attention to that. Many decide to put their ideas or feelings into the songs and sermons which end up going against Scripture and dishonoring God.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17​

All Scripture literally means all of it, all the way from Genesis to Revelation. So that means we should be able to look at the Word of God and be able to teach others and reprove each other or correct others and ourselves so that we may be complete. We will be equipped for every good work that will honor God. If we are to honor God with our lives, we should be living by the precepts and examples written down for us in Scripture. 

When a preacher preaches a sermon, it should be based off of scripture in its entirety. Meaning  that, if what they are teaching only aligns with 99% of Scripture,  then we have to throw away whatever does not align with Scripture. When Paul the Apostle preached to the Bereans, what did they do? They went to the Scriptures to see if what he was saying were true. If they did that to an apostle, how much more should we be doing that with our pastors or teachers? We have to take these things seriously because when we die, no one will stand before God with others. We go before God alone once we die. 

So if someone believes a false gospel, what happens? If someone believes in a false version, or non biblical version of Jesus, what happens? If you believe in a false Jesus who isn't a real one, much like JW’s do, how can you be saved? I have said before that God isn't all loving, He has far more many attributes. So let me encourage you to search these things out in Scripture and weigh whatever you read from anyone who writes it against Scripture to see if it aligns with it. See if the songs that you are singing in church align with Scripture. See if how you are living aligns with Scripture. 
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There is a warning in Scripture for a future time which I believe is here now. Its from 2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

​If we allow our feelings to influence our faith, that is where we will end up. Far too many people and churches have fallen prey to this way of thinking. Let it not be so in the body of Christ. Let us cling to the Word and cling to Christ in all that we do and say. Let us check everything against the Word and make sure that what we believe, teach, and share with others truly aligns with what God has so lovingly given us!

Jonathan Eckel