When we have thus taught faith in Christ, then do we also teach good works. Because thou hast laid hold of Christ by faith, through whom thou art made righteous, begin now to work well. Love God and thy neighbours, call upon God, give thanks unto Him, praise Him, confess Him. These are good works indeed, which flow out of this faith, and this cheerfulness conceived in the heart, for that we have remission of sins freely by Christ.
Now what cross or affliction so ever does afterwards ensue, is easily borne, and cheerfully suffered, for Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden is light (St. Matthew 11:30). But when a man walketh in his own righteousness, whatsoever he doth is grievous and tedious unto him, because he doth it unwillingly.
We therefore make this definition of a Christian: a Christian is not he who hath no sin, but he to whom God imputeth not his sin, through faith in Christ. This is why we so often repeat and beat into your minds, the
forgiveness of sins and imputation of righteousness for Christ’s sake.
Martin Luther, Kregel, Galatians 2:15-16, p. 72.
