Augsburg Confession XX, Faith and Good Works (b)

27 It is also taught among us that good works should and must be done, not that we are to rely on them to earn grace but that we may do God’s will and glorify him. 28 It is always faith alone that apprehends grace and forgiveness of sin. 29 When through faith the Holy Spirit is given, the heart is moved to do good works. 31 Before that, when it is without the Holy Spirit, the heart is too weak. 32 Moreover, it is in the power of the devil, who drives poor human beings into many sins. 33 We see this in the philosophers who undertook to lead honorable and blameless lives; they failed to accomplish this, and instead fell into many great and open sins. 34 This is what happens when a man is without true faith and the Holy Spirit and governs himself by his own human strength alone.

35 Consequently this teaching concerning faith is not to be accused of forbidding good works but is rather to be praised for teaching that good works are to be done and for offering help as to how they may be done. 36 For without faith and without Christ human nature and human strength are much too weak to do good works, 37 call upon God, have patience in suffering, love one’s neighbor, diligently engage in callings which are commanded, render obedience, avoid evil lusts, etc. 38 Such great and genuine works cannot be done without the help of Christ, 39 as he himself says in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (The Confession of Faith: 2, XX, 27-39). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.