"God does not need our good works," Luther said, "but our neighbor does." Our relationship with God is based completely on His work for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Although we may speak of serving God, He always serves us. Justification by faith completely excludes any kind of dependence on our good works for our salvation. We come before God clothed not in our own works or merits, but solely in the works and merits of Christ, which are imputed to us. But having been justified by faith. God sends us into the world, into our vocations, to love and serve our neighbors, the actual human beings whom God brings into our lives as we carry out our daily callings.
From "Authentic Christianity," page 165
