This post is part of a series where I present my approach to discipleship and spiritual formation, which I call Slow Cooker Faith. 
Click the links below for previous entries: 
Slow cooker faith, part 1: “on fire” for Jesus? 
Slow Cooker Faith, part 2: Trying to re-kindle the flame 
Slow Cooker Faith, part 3: Burn Victims
Slow Cooker Faith, part 4: What is slow cooker faith?

One of the things I love about cooking in a Crock Pot is that there’s usually no frills. Unless you’re making a roux or adding some flour or corn starch at the end, it’s just dump and go. You put in the ingredients, let the slow cooker do its thing—and wow! Beef stew!

Slow Cooker Faith is likewise no-frills, no gimmicks, using five simple ingredients God has given us from the beginning. All of my soups are based on mirepoix—a tried and true blend of onions, carrots, and celery. Likewise, God has given the church a five-ingredient mirepoix that’s sufficient for salvation, godly living, and anything the church needs to do.

Are you writing down this recipe?

1. Salvation is by grace alone. When I say salvation, I mean justification (God’s declaration of righteousness for those who believe in Christ); sanctification (God’s declaration that those in Christ are holy, as well as our growing in holiness across our lives); and glorification (when we are raised perfected in Christ, immortal and sinless, to eternal life). It’s ALL God’s gift. It does not depend on human will or effort, but on God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16).
2. Salvation is by faith alone. Many have criticized Martin Luther for writing “alone” in the margins of his Bible at Ephesians 2:8-9. But if we are indeed saved by grace through faith, and not by works—then it is by grace through faith alone. Faith as defined in Question 86 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: receiving and resting upon Christ alone as He is offered to us in the Gospel. Yes, I am aware James 2:24 is in the Bible. Yes, I believe Christians should live godly lives. Patience. We will come to that later.
3. Salvation is found in Christ alone. This not only means that we must come to God only through Him (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It also means we must rest in His finished work alone for our salvation (John 19:30). We cannot add anything to what He has done. Indeed, those who put confidence in their own works are the very ones who are turned away from heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).
4. Scripture alone is sufficient. This doesn’t mean never consult a commentary, or confess a Creed. Those are there to help clarify scripture. But only scripture is able to make us wise unto salvation. And scripture is sufficient for teaching, rebuke, correction, and instruction in righteousness, to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17). We don’t need to go to modern management strategies, mystics, or personality tests to do what we need to do. God’s Gospel and God’s Law is all we need.
5. Our salvation, and any good we do, is for God’s glory alone. After all, “salvation belongs to the Lord,” Psalm 3:8. That should give us all comfort. The One who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion.

Slow cooker food is comfort food on a damp, chilly day. So is slow cooker faith for believers in a world that is often cold and dark.