Christ saves sinners—He does not wait for them to become righteous, to come half way out of sin, its penalty, its power, or any distance. Christ comes all the way to the sinner—and saves him altogether. The Gospel of Christ is not “Do the best you can and Christ will do the rest.” He is not a part Savior, but a whole Savior. Our good works of whatever amount or degree are no part of our salvation. We do not escape the curse of the law or receive the favor of God because we are good—because of our good works, but solely because Christ is our Savior and we trust in Him. Our Catechism says Christ has redeemed and delivered us by His blood and revives us by His Holy Spirit.

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