Forgetting our Sin

We should forget about our sin (for there is a time to think of sin, and there is also a time not to think of sin) and not follow up the gnawing and biting of our conscience nor judge according to our feeling but according to the Word. When our heart says: If I knew how I could atone for my sin, I would be willing to walk on nothing but needles and would allow nothing to discourage me, then you should say in reply: Let us hear what my Brother Christ says. He speaks thus: I am God's Son and Heir; you will share My heritage if you cling to Me and believe on Me; and you are not going to earn this treasure from Me, but I give it to you out of grace and for nothing. Now this is a message we are far too weak to preach and to believe.

Source: Quoted in Ewald M. Plass, What Luther Says, A Practical In-home Theology for the Active Christian. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 1959 Edition, 10th Printing (1994), p. 324.