I have no good work or merit because of which God would forgive my sins, but He forgives them solely by grace and solely for the sake of Christ, as a free gift.
Jer. 31:3: I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.
Eph. 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast.
Joh. 14:6: Jesus saith unto him: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
Lutheran Confessions: “Therefore the righteousness which is imputed to faith or to the believer out of pure grace is the obedience, suffering, and resurrection of Christ, since He has made satisfaction for us to the Law and paid for (expiated) our sins.” (Formula of Concord, Thorough Declaration 3:14).
Note: Even those works that we do as fruits of our faith, do not merit anything.
Luke 17:10: Likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do.
