Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Moreover, the promises of the Law require perfect obedience as is said in the first commandment:  "I will do good to those who love me" [cf. Deut. 5:10].  But the evangelical promise - about remission of sins, justification, and the gift of eternal life - is gratuitous, offered on account of Christ, without a condition of our merits or our worthiness.  -- Philip Melanchthon, Romans,  p. 22.