We believe that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and that sin deserves nothing but present and eternal punishment. [i] God was unwilling to let condemnation be His final Word. Instead, “God demonstrated His love for us in this that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”; therefore, as Paul says, “There is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ.” [ii] The salvation we could never earn nor deserve God bestows freely as a gift. This is the cardinal teaching of the Lutheran Church – that we are justified (declared righteous or forgiven) by grace through faith for Christ’s sake apart from our works. Only this doctrine gives all glory to God. We have no boasting, salvation is God’s gift, completely His work in and for us. [iii] Only this doctrine gives assurance and comfort to sinners that Jesus alone has rendered the atoning sacrifice for sin. [iv]