““Luther’s theology of the cross begins with a realistic view of mankind as fallen and dead in sin. Good works are not an option for climbing one’s way up to heaven. Thesis 1 states, “The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance humans on their way to righteousness, but rather hinders them.” Thesis 23 states, “The law works the wrath of God, kills, curses, accuses, judges and damns everything that is not in Christ.” So the question is: how we do become objects of God’s love? How do we move from being under the law, and therefore under wrath, to being under God’s grace and love? That way is through the cross. Sinners must be crucified with Christ and raised with him. To be right with God, they must believe in the crucified Saviour. Thesis 25 says, “He is not righteous who works much, but he who, without work, believes much in Christ.” Salvation is in Christ alone, not in human effort and certainly not in human law-keeping. Thesis 26 says, “The law says ‘do this’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘believe in this’ and everything is already done.” It is all done in Christ!””
