Gerhard and Walther

Anyone who wants to long for the coming of Christ in judgment must not live in sin against conscience, otherwise he will have very little about which to rejoice in regard to His return.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis I:190.

Let us never forget that we are saved not merely by coming to faith, but by persevering in it. We do not reach the heavenly goal because we were once zealous to avoid the sins of the world, but because we remain on that path all our days. We are not heirs of eternal life because we were once united with Christ, but because we maintain fellowship with our Savior until death.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 215.