Catechesis: Righteousness

We believe, teach, and confess that many weaknesses and defects cling to the true believers and truly regenerate, even up to the day they are buried. Still, they must not on that account doubt either their righteousness, which has been credited to them through faith, or the salvation of their souls. They must regard it as certain that for Christ’s sake, according to the promise and immoveable Word of the Holy Gospel, they have a gracious God…

Yet one is not to imagine a kind of faith that can exist and abide with, and alongside of, a wicked intention to sin and to act against the conscience.—FC Ep III:9, 11