Gerhard and Walther

The strength of the soul that consists of patience is far nobler and better than the strength of the body.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis III:184.

Let us not think that Jesus prefers the virtuous to those who recognize how far they have fallen. He lets go the virtuous who do not desire to be with Him, and He seeks those who are overwhelmed by the guilt of their sins. He makes sinners of saints and saints of sinners. He lets the self-righteous perish and saves those who are honest enough to recognize that they are lost.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 529.